Abhishek Sharma’s 113 powers India past New Zealand target

Abhishek Sharma smashed 113 to lead India’s extraordinary chase of 199 against New Zealand in the third T20I, with the target overhauled in only 13.2 overs. India finished the pursuit with 40 balls remaining, a margin that now ranks as the second-best in a successful chase of 190 or more in all men’s T20 internationals.

The innings was defined by rapid scoring from the outset and a succession of landmarks. India reached 100 in five overs, the quickest recorded route to that mark in men’s T20Is where data is available, while Abhishek added another major entry to his growing list of records in the format.

India’s chase rewrites the T20I record book

India’s 40-ball cushion in a chase of 199 was surpassed only by Estonia’s pursuit of 192 against Cyprus at Episkopi in 2024. It also improved on the previous best among full-member teams, which had been set by India when they chased 209 against New Zealand with 28 balls to spare in Raipur earlier this year.

The speed of the Indian start was central to the result. India got to 100 in five overs, bettering the previous fastest time to the landmark in available men’s T20I records: Romania’s 5.2 overs against Serbia at Sofia in 2021. The source also recorded India reaching an earlier scoring landmark at the joint-fastest rate in the format, alongside Papua New Guinea against Vanuatu in 2019 and Romania against Serbia in 2021.

New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy conceded 26 in the first over of the innings. That equalled the most expensive opening over of a T20I innings, matching the 26 conceded by Malta’s Varun Thamotharam against Gibraltar in May 2023. Among full-member sides, the next highest first-over concession cited was Kemar Roach’s 24 against Australia at Sydney in 2010.

India also registered a record powerplay total in men’s T20Is. They became only the second side to cross 100 runs in the powerplay twice in the format, having previously done so against Afghanistan in Delhi earlier this season.

Abhishek’s century adds to an exceptional season

Abhishek’s 113 came from 38 balls and included 11 sixes. His century was completed in a number of deliveries that placed it joint third-fastest by a batter from a full-member side in T20Is, according to the source. His 30-ball hundred against Afghanistan in Delhi earlier this season remains the fastest on that list.

The hundred was Abhishek’s fourth in T20 internationals. Only Rohit Sharma and Glenn Maxwell, with five each, have more, while Suryakumar Yadav, Phil Salt and Karanbir Singh also have four. In all T20 cricket, it was Abhishek’s 11th century, taking him beyond the totals of Virat Kohli, Quinton de Kock and David Warner, who each have 10. Chris Gayle has 22 and Babar Azam 13.

Abhishek reached his fifty in exactly 15 balls, making it the joint third-fastest T20I half-century in matches between two full-member teams. Of the 20 recorded T20I instances of a batter reaching fifty in 15 balls or fewer, he is the only player to have done it twice.

His 11 sixes equalled his own joint second-highest tally for India in a T20I innings, alongside his effort against Afghanistan in Delhi last month. He had hit 13 against England at Wankhede in February 2025. Abhishek has now struck 128 sixes in all T20 cricket in 2026, the third-highest calendar-year total cited in the source.

Opening stand sets the platform

Abhishek and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi put on 133 in 7.1 overs, scoring at 18.13 runs per over. That is the highest run rate for a century opening partnership by a full-member side in T20Is. Their stand gave India the platform for an emphatic chase and ensured Abhishek’s innings became the headline performance in a record-breaking display.