Cricket / India Crush New Zealand as Abhishek Sharma's Record Ton Seals Series 3-0

Wellington, Oct 27: Abhishek Sharma produced a breathtaking display of power-hitting to smash a record-breaking century and guide India to a commanding six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20I at Hnry Stadium, Wellington, on Tuesday, helping the visitors clinch the five-match series with an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Abhishek was on an absolute carnage as he slammed his fourth T20I century, ending at 113 from 38 balls to help India gun down the 199-run target in just 13.2 overs with six wickets in hand. The victory helped India take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Apart from his fourth T20I century, this was Abhishek's 11th T20 ton, which is now the most by an Indian player in the shortest format. He went past Indian veteran Virat Kohli, who slammed 10 centuries in T20s.

This has put Abhishek in third place among the players with most T20 tons, only behind Chris Gayle (22) and Babar Azam (13).

While Abhishek slammed another jaw-dropping knock, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, promoted to the opening role for this game, also impressed with 45 from 19 deliveries as record books tumbled and New Zealand bowlers faced the brunt of the Indian batters.

India smashed the highest-ever team total in a men's T20I powerplay, hitting 118/0 in the first six overs. This has now become the highest-ever score for a team in a powerplay, going past the previous highest of Romania, who had made 116/0 against Serbia in a T20I in 2021.

The two batters made a mockery of the depleted New Zealand bowling attack as they went hammer and tongs behind the target. India also breached the 100-run mark in just five overs, which is the second-fastest by any team in the world, behind Eswatini, who had completed their team hundred in 4.5 overs against Mozambique earlier this year.

The Men in Blue also brought up their fifty off just 2.2 overs, which is now the joint-fastest by any team in the world. Papua New Guinea made a team fifty in 2.2 overs against Vanuatu, while Romania had also completed their 50 in 2.2 overs against Serbia.

It was a very tough outing for the New Zealand bowlers, who were already missing Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson due to fitness issues. Returning Kyle Jamieson, Matthew Fisher and captain Mitchell Santner managed to take wickets, with Jamieson scalping two and the others taking one each. Jamieson got the prized wicket of Abhishek for 113 in the 10th over, while Fisher accounted for Sooryavanshi (45) in the eighth over.

Jamieson struck once more later when he dismissed Sanju Samson for 18, and Santner removed Shreyas Iyer for five in the 13th over. However, the result was never in doubt as Tilak Varma (1*) and Naman Dhir (4*) steered India home in the 14th over.

Earlier, Daryl Mitchell's career-best T20 score of 89 not out from 52 balls lifted New Zealand to 198/3. The hosts were well placed at 100/2 after 10 overs but lost momentum in the latter half as India's bowlers executed their plans effectively at the death.

Mitchell carried the innings almost single-handedly and remained unbeaten on 89, while Bevon Jacobs contributed 39 from 23 deliveries. However, New Zealand failed to find the acceleration needed in the closing stages.

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The hosts were 123/3 after 12 overs and looked set for a strong finish, but India's bowlers adjusted expertly, using fuller lengths and yorkers to exploit the venue's dimensions.

Only 63 runs came from the final seven overs as India maintained disciplined lines and lengths. Four bowlers shared death-over responsibilities to restrict New Zealand below the 200-run mark.

India have now secured the series with two matches remaining, continuing their dominance over New Zealand in the T20 format.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 198/3 (Daryl Mitchell 89*, Finn Allen 40; Arshdeep Singh 1/33, Axar Patel 1/36) lost to India 199/4 in 13.2 overs (Abhishek Sharma 113, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 45; Kyle Jamieson 2/45, Mitchell Santner 1/17) by six wickets.
(IANS)