Abhishek Sharma creates history, shatters multiple records with explosive 35-ball century in IND vs NZ 3rd T20I

Abhishek Sharma delivered a breathtaking performance in the third T20I against New Zealand in Wellington on Tuesday, October 27, as India chased down a target of 199 with 40 balls to spare. The left-handed opener smashed 113 runs off just 35 balls, helping India complete a remarkable chase after a record-breaking start alongside young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

The India opener's innings was not just about his century. He and Sooryavanshi put New Zealand's bowling attack under immense pressure from the first over, setting several records during the chase.

ALSO READ: IND vs NZ 3rd T20I: Abhishek Sharma smashes 35-ball century as India shatter multiple records to seal series

1.) India set world record for highest T20I powerplay score

India raced to 118/0 in the first six overs, registering the highest Powerplay total in men's T20I cricket. The previous record was Romania's 116/0 against Serbia in 2021.

Abhishek was unbeaten on 57 off 20 balls at the end of the Powerplay, while Sooryavanshi had scored 44 off 17 deliveries. Their remarkable opening stand gave India a commanding platform in the chase.

2.) Abhishek Sharma scores his fourth T20I century

Abhishek's 35-ball hundred against New Zealand took his T20I century tally to four, according to the supplied figures. He is now level with Phil Salt, Karanbir Singh and Suryakumar Yadav on the list of batters with four hundreds in men's T20Is. Glenn Maxwell and Rohit Sharma lead that list with five centuries each.

Most hundreds in Men’s T20Is

5 - Glenn Maxwell
5 - Rohit Sharma
4 - Karanbir Singh
4 - Phil Salt
4 - Suryakumar Yadav
4 - Abhishek Sharma

3.) Abhishek moves ahead of Virat Kohli in overall T20 hundreds

The century against New Zealand was Abhishek's 11th in men's T20 cricket. He moved ahead of Virat Kohli and David Warner, who have 10 hundreds apiece, according to the supplied list. Chris Gayle remains at the top with 22 T20 centuries, followed by Babar Azam with 13.

Most hundreds in Men's T20 cricket

- 22 - Chris Gayle
- 13 - Babar Azam
- 11 - Abhishek Sharma
- 10 - Quinton de Kock
- 10 - Virat Kohli
- 10 - David Warner

4.) Abhishek and Sooryavanshi record highest run rate for a 100-plus T20I opening stand

Abhishek and Sooryavanshi's opening partnership came at a remarkable run rate of 18.13 runs per over, the highest for a 100-plus opening stand in men's T20Is, according to the supplied statistics.

They surpassed the previous mark of 16.08 recorded by England's Jos Buttler and Phil Salt against South Africa at Old Trafford in 2025.

Highest run-rates for a 100-plus opening stand in T20Is

18.13 - Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi vs NZ, Wellington, 2026
16.08 - Jos Buttler, Phil Salt vs SA, Old Trafford, 2025
15 - Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers vs ENG, Johannesburg, 2016
15 - Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani vs Seychelles, Nairobi, 2024
14.83 - Shai Hope, Evin Lewis vs ENG, Gros Islet, 2024
14.44 - Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson vs AFG, Delhi, 2026
for full-member teams

5.) Abhishek joins elite list for fastest T20I fifties

Abhishek brought up his half-century in just 15 balls against New Zealand, putting him among the fastest scorers in men's T20Is between Full Member teams.

However, the innings did not break his personal record. He had already scored a 14-ball fifty against New Zealand in Guwahati earlier in 2026, while Yuvraj Singh's 12-ball half-century against England in 2007 remains the fastest on the supplied list.

6.) Abhishek extends record for most first-ball sixes in T20Is

Abhishek has now hit a six off the first ball of an innings on eight occasions in men's T20Is, the most among the listed players. Afghanistan's Shafiqullah Shinwari follows with six, while Suryakumar Yadav has done it five times.

Hitting first ball for a six most often in T20Is

8 - Abhishek Sharma (IND)
6 - Shafiqullah Shinwari (AFG)
5 - Suryakumar Yadav (IND)
4 - Paul Stirling (IRE)
4 - Colin Munro (NZ)
4 - Mohammad Naveed (UAE)

India complete a stunning chase in Wellington

India's aggressive approach left New Zealand struggling to contain the scoring rate. The opening over yielded 26 runs, setting the tone for the rest of the innings.

Although Sooryavanshi departed after scoring 45 off 20 balls, Abhishek continued his assault and took India closer to the target at a remarkable pace. He was particularly effective through the cover region, scoring 51 of his 113 runs in that area.

New Zealand had earlier posted 198/3, with Daryl Mitchell scoring an unbeaten 89 off 52 balls and Bevon Jacobs contributing 39 not out of 23 deliveries.