WELLINGTON – Team India produced an extraordinary display of power-hitting on Tuesday, thrashing New Zealand by six wickets in the third T20 international to claim an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five match series.
Opening batter Abhishek Sharma spearheaded the victory with a magnificent, record breaking century, orchestrating a successful run chase that saw India surpass a stiff target with more than six overs to spare.
Asked to chase 199 after New Zealand posted 198/3 in their 20 overs, India raced out of the blocks with unrelenting aggression. Abhishek reached his hundred off just 35 deliveries, eventually departing for a sensational 113 off 38 balls, decorated with nine boundaries and 11 towering sixes.
He found explosive support at the other end from young prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who contributed a rapid 45 off 19 deliveries. The pair put on a staggering 133-run partnership for the opening wicket in just over seven overs, dismantling the Kiwi bowling attack and setting up a comfortable finish as India crossed the line in 13.2 overs.
Earlier in the innings, New Zealand had built a competitive total powered by Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 89, but it proved entirely insufficient against India’s record-setting onslaught at the top. With this comprehensive win, the visitors secured the series with two matches to spare.
