India produced one of the most astonishing chases in T20 history. Abhishek Sharma smashed a 35-ball century as India hunted down 199 in just 13.2 overs to hammer New Zealand in the third T20 in Wellington and seal an unassailable 3-0 series lead.
Abhishek Sharma (Credits: BBC Sport)
New Zealand’s 198-3 had looked competitive. Daryl Mitchell anchored the innings with 89 from 52 balls, with Finn Allen adding 40 off 25, and the Black Caps posted a total most teams would back themselves to defend. India barely broke a sweat.
Abhishek Sharma 35-Ball Century Destroys New Zealand
Abhishek and teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi blitzed 133 in seven overs for the first wicket, with their powerplay score of 118 setting a new record for international T20s. The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi’s 45 from 19 balls was merely the supporting act.
Abhishek raced to his fifty from just 15 deliveries as New Zealand’s bowlers wilted under the assault. After Sooryavanshi departed in the eighth over, Abhishek kept going, eventually falling for 113 from 38 balls — an innings featuring nine fours and 11 sixes.
He fell just short of equalling his own record for India’s fastest T20 hundred, which came off 30 balls against Afghanistan last month. It hardly mattered: India’s middle order calmly knocked off the remaining 21 runs, with New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner’s 1-17 off three overs a rare bright spot in a painful night for the bowlers.
India Take Unassailable 3-0 Lead Over New Zealand
The result gives India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, which is followed by five one-day internationals and two Tests. If the remaining T20s follow this pattern, New Zealand’s bowlers will be glad to see the back of Abhishek Sharma — and the rest of world cricket will be watching a batting unit operating at a frightening level.
Also Read: Harry Brook Smashes Fastest Ever ODI Double Century (202) as England Pile Up 429-4 vs Sri Lanka
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
