🏑 Sports
Abhishek Sharma's 38-ball 113 seals the T20 series against New Zealand
In 60 seconds: Abhishek Sharma smashed 113 off 38 balls as India chased 199 in just 13.2 overs to beat New Zealand by six wickets in Wellington on Tuesday. India now lead the five-match T20 series 3-0. Abhishek and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who made 45 off 19, put on 133 for the first wicket, and India's 118 in the powerplay was the best by any team in T20s.
Why it matters
India have wrapped up the series with two games to spare, and the young openers are setting new standards for fast scoring.
Explain it simply
Imagine serving 118 cups of chai in the first six minutes of opening. That's how fast India scored in the powerplay.
The 3-minute read
What happened
New Zealand made 198 for 3 after being sent in, led by Daryl Mitchell's unbeaten 89, his best in T20s. Abhishek hit 10 sixes and seven fours, reaching fifty in 15 balls and his hundred in 35.
Background
India reached 100 in just five overs. Abhishek's 15-ball fifty is the third-fastest by an Indian batter in T20 internationals. The match had 26 sixes.
How it works
India won the toss and chose to field. The openers attacked from the first over, so the chase was effectively over by the end of the powerplay.
What's next
Two matches remain in the five-match series, with India looking for a clean sweep.
What it means for you
Quiz watchers: remember the records, such as the 118-run powerplay and Abhishek's 35-ball hundred.
Key numbers
- 113 (38): Abhishek Sharma's runs (balls)
- 13.2 overs: Time India took to chase 199
- 118: India's powerplay score, a T20 record
- 3-0: India's lead in the five-match series
Both sides
- India: Fearless opening batting has made big chases look easy.
- New Zealand: Even 198 was not enough; the bowlers had no answer.
Key terms explained
- Powerplay
- The first six overs of a T20 innings, with fielding restrictions.
- Chased
- Batting second and reaching the target set by the other team.
The story so far
- 2007: India win the first T20 World Cup. India won the first ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007, beating Pakistan in the final. Yuvraj Singh's 12-ball fifty in that event is still India's fastest in T20 internationals.
- Today: Abhishek 113 off 38; India lead 3-0
Exam notes (UPSC, SSC, Banking, PSC)
- The powerplay in a T20 match is the first six overs, when only two fielders may stand outside the inner circle.
- India won the first ICC T20 World Cup in 2007.
- Yuvraj Singh's 12-ball fifty (2007) is India's fastest in T20 internationals.
- Wellington is the capital of New Zealand.
Likely exam question: What is a powerplay in T20 cricket, and why does it matter for batting teams?