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Abhishek Sharma’s 35-ball century powers India to T20 series win

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“Abhishek Sharma”

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Abhishek Sharma’s 35-ball century powers India to T20 series win

Abhishek Sharma’s 35-ball century helped India chase down New Zealand’s 199-run target in just 13.2 overs in the third T20 international in Wellington. India won by six wickets, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Sharma, an India left-handed batter who also represents Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad, made 113 from 38 balls.

India’s chase began at a pace rarely seen in international cricket. Sharma and 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi put on 133 for the first wicket in seven overs. India reached 100 without loss after five overs, then lifted the total to 118 without loss by the end of the powerplay—the highest powerplay score in men’s T20 internationals.

Sharma reached his half-century from 15 deliveries and finished with nine fours and 11 sixes. His century came from 35 balls, five deliveries slower than his own India record: a 30-ball hundred against Afghanistan the previous month. He was out for 113 in the eighth over, with India needing only a small part of the target.

Sooryavanshi’s 45 from 19 balls gave India’s innings its explosive start. The teenager’s promotion to open alongside Sharma paid off immediately, putting New Zealand’s bowlers under pressure before the middle order had to contribute. India completed the chase with 21 runs still required when Sharma departed.

New Zealand had made 198 for three from 20 overs. Daryl Mitchell led the innings with 89 from 52 balls, while Finn Allen added 40 from 25. Their total looked substantial, but India’s openers took the game away before New Zealand could build on it. Mitchell Santner was among the few bowlers to limit the damage, taking one wicket for 17 runs in three overs.

India captain Shreyas Iyer said the opening stand was striking to watch. He and Sanju Samson had found the ball swinging when they batted, and Iyer said he was surprised by how the openers managed to attack in those conditions. Iyer made five from 10 balls before being dismissed; the contrast with Sharma and Sooryavanshi’s start was stark.

The result settles the series with two T20Is still to play. The fourth match is scheduled for Friday at Eden Park in Auckland, with New Zealand seeking a win and India carrying a 3-0 advantage. The T20 series is followed by five one-day internationals and two Tests.

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