India Vs NZ 3rd T20I: Abhishek Hits Century in 35 Balls as India Chase 199 in 13.2 Overs

India defeated New Zealand by six wickets in Wellington on October 27, 2026, chasing 199 in just 13.2 overs after Abhishek Sharma struck a century from 35 balls. The victory secured the T20I series with two matches remaining.

Abhishek finished with 113 from 38 deliveries as India reached 199/4 with 40 balls to spare, according to the Cricbuzz scorecard . New Zealand had posted 198/3 after India won the toss and chose to bowl. Abhishek was named Player of the Match.

Abhishek and Sooryavanshi Put India Ahead Early

India’s opening pair made the decisive difference. Abhishek and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took the chase to 100 without loss after five overs and 118 without loss after six, according to The Times of India’s match coverage .

Their partnership ended at 133 when Matthew Fisher dismissed Sooryavanshi for 45 from 19 balls at 7.1 overs. His innings included four fours and four sixes.

Abhishek reached his hundred with a boundary off Kyle Jamieson at 9.3 overs. Glenn Phillips caught him three deliveries later, leaving India at 178/2 after 10 overs, with only 21 runs needed.

How the Leading Innings Compared

Daryl Mitchell provided the foundation for New Zealand’s total, finishing unbeaten on 89 from 52 balls with five fours and five sixes. He shared an 86 run partnership with Finn Allen and an unbeaten 75 run stand with Bevon Jacobs.

Abhishek’s innings was shorter but more productive: 113 from 38 balls, including nine fours and 11 sixes. His boundaries accounted for 102 runs, compared with 50 from Mitchell’s fours and sixes.

Allen contributed 40 from 25 deliveries, while Jacobs finished unbeaten on 39 from 23. Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel and Nitish Kumar Reddy took one wicket each for India.

Late Wickets Could Not Change the Result

New Zealand slowed the chase near the finish. Mitchell Santner dismissed Shreyas Iyer for five, and Jamieson bowled Sanju Samson for 18 with four runs still required.

Naman Dhir then struck his first delivery for four to complete the victory. Jamieson finished with two wickets for 45 runs, while Santner returned one for 17 from three overs.

India had entered the match leading 2 to 0 after winning the second T20I in Christchurch on October 24, according to the International Cricket Council . The Wellington result made that advantage an unassailable 3 to 0 in the five match series.