India turned a chase of 199 into a record-setting sprint in Wellington, beating New Zealand by six wickets in the IND vs NZ T20 clash and taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Abhishek Sharma struck 113 from 38 balls, reaching his century in 35 deliveries, while 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made 45 from 19. Their opening stand of 133 came in only 7.1 overs. The India vs New Zealand contest ended with India at 199/4 in 13.2 overs.

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Abhishek Sharma Powers the Chase

New Zealand posted 198/3 after being asked to bat first. Daryl Mitchell anchored the innings with an unbeaten 89, supported by Finn Allen’s 40 and Bevon Jacobs’ 39 not out. India needed a strong start, but Abhishek Sharma and Sooryavanshi attacked early. India reached 50 in 2.2 overs and crossed 100 on the final ball of the fifth over. The pair’s 133-run stand arrived at a scoring rate of 18.13 runs per over, the highest for a 100-plus opening partnership in men’s T20 internationals between full-member teams. Sooryavanshi’s 45 ended in the eighth over. Abhishek Sharma continued until he was dismissed for 113, having hit nine fours and 11 sixes.

India Set New T20I Benchmarks

India’s 118 without losing a wicket in the powerplay became the highest powerplay total in T20I history, surpassing Romania’s 116/0 against Serbia in 2021. The IND vs NZ T20 innings also produced the fastest team fifty by a full-member nation, reached in 14 balls. India’s 100 came in 30 balls, setting a new benchmark among Test-playing sides. India also became the first Test-playing nation to chase at least 200 with more than five overs remaining. The India vs New Zealand fixture added another milestone to the team’s record of chasing 150-plus totals in under 15 overs on five occasions. India had previously scored 100 in the powerplay against Afghanistan in Delhi last month, making this their second T20I innings to pass that mark.

Series Decided, Two Games Remain

The result gives India breathing space for the final two matches. Abhishek Sharma’s fourth T20I century reinforced his place at the top of India’s batting order, while Sooryavanshi showed he could handle a senior international attack. Their approach made the IND vs NZ T20 chase look straightforward despite the target. New Zealand’s total was competitive on paper, yet India’s scoring rate removed the pressure. The India vs New Zealand series is beyond the hosts’ reach, with the fourth match scheduled for Auckland on Friday. India’s powerplay, rapid fifty and century stand will be remembered alongside the result.

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For India, the next task is to maintain the same intent without expecting every innings to follow this pattern. Abhishek Sharma supplied the headline, but the wider lesson from this IND vs NZ T20 match is how quickly an opening partnership can reshape a chase. The India vs New Zealand series continues with two matches left, giving both sides another chance to test combinations before the tour concludes.

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