NZ vs IND: Diwali comes early as Abhishek 113 helps India chase down 199 in 13.2 overs

Results in brief: India (199 for 4 in 13.2 overs) beat New Zealand (198/3 in 20 overs) by 6 wickets to take a 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Scorecard | Highlighting

Diwali, the festival of fireworks, arrived in Wellington two weeks early as India produced one of the most explosive displays of big hitting in a T20I competition. Abhishek Sharma smashed a 38-ball 113 before teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fought his way to 45 off just 19 deliveries as India were bowled out for 199 in 13.2 overs on Tuesday. The batting blitz not only ensured a commanding victory but also gave India an elusive 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

The build-up to the third T20I in Wellington was buffeted by gusty winds sweeping the city. On the eve of the match, the Indian players struggled with the conditions and found it difficult to keep their hats and caps on during field practice as the wind threatened to blow them away.

But the gusts were nothing compared to the storm Abhishek and Sooryavanshi unleashed during the chase on Tuesday night. India raced to 50 in just 2.2 overs, brought up their hundred in five overs and finished the powerplay with a stunning 118 runs, setting a world record for the highest team total in the first six overs of a men’s T20I.

Abhishek brought up his fourth T20I hundred with one of the most ferocious innings of his career, attacking the New Zealand bowlers right from the start. None of the hosts’ new ball options were spared as Jacob Duffy, Adam Milne and Kyle Jamieson were all taken to the cleaners by the Indian openers. Promoted to Sanju Samson’s open spot, Sooryavanshi matched his senior partner’s aggression and turned the chase into a relentless attack that left New Zealand scrambling for answers.

Abhishek reached his hundred in just 35 deliveries, five balls slower than his own world record for the fastest T20I century. He finished with 11 sixes and nine fours, sending the ball soaring into the Wellington evening and giving the crowd plenty to cheer about. Spectators who braved the freezing and blustery conditions to watch the midweek evening game were rewarded with a spectacular display of power hitting.

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