Now Reading: India Blitz Record Fastest 100 as Abhishek and Sooryavanshi Seal NZ Series
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India Blitz Record Fastest 100 as Abhishek and Sooryavanshi Seal NZ Series
Wellington witnessed T20I history. India’s openers Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi launched a ferocious assault on New Zealand’s bowlers, racing to the fastest team 100 in T20Is and a record powerplay score. The third T20I turned into a one-sided spectacle, and the series was effectively sealed inside seven overs.
India Rewrite the Record Books
India chased 199 and needed just five overs to bring up the team 100. That broke the record for a full member side, previously held by South Africa, who took 5.3 overs against the West Indies in Centurion in 2023.
The Black Caps bowlers had no answer. Abhishek and Sooryavanshi attacked from ball one and sent the ball all over the park.
Fastest Team 100s in T20Is
| Overs | Match | Venue and Year |
|---|---|---|
| 5.0 | India vs New Zealand | Wellington, 2026 |
| 5.2 | Romania vs Serbia | Sofia, 2021 |
| 5.3 | South Africa vs West Indies | Centurion, 2023 |
| 5.3 | Australia vs Scotland | Edinburgh, 2024 |
| 5.5 | Zimbabwe vs Gambia | Nairobi, 2024 |
| 5.5 | England vs South Africa | Old Trafford, 2025 |
A Record-Breaking Powerplay
India finished the first six overs on 118 without loss. That is the highest powerplay total in men’s T20Is, ahead of Romania’s 116/0 against Serbia in 2021.
The openers kept going after the powerplay. ESPNcricinfo reported that they plundered 132 in the first seven overs of the chase.
Highest Powerplay Totals in Men’s T20Is
| Score | Match | Venue and Year |
|---|---|---|
| 118/0 | India vs New Zealand | Wellington, 2026 |
| 116/0 | Romania vs Serbia | Sofia, 2021 |
| 113/1 | Australia vs Scotland | Edinburgh, 2024 |
| 103/1 | Zimbabwe vs Gambia | Nairobi, 2024 |
| 102/0 | South Africa vs West Indies | Centurion, 2023 |
| 100/0 | England vs South Africa | Old Trafford, 2025 |
| 100/0 | India vs Afghanistan | Delhi, 2026 |
It is also worth noting that India feature twice on this list, a sign of how aggressive their top order has become.
Abhishek Takes Charge, Sooryavanshi Lights the Fuse
Sooryavanshi set the tone with a blistering start, hitting four sixes and four fours in a rapid cameo. Abhishek then took over as the main aggressor, attacking relentlessly and closing in on a hundred.
By the ninth over India were 162/1, with just 37 runs needed. The series was as good as won, and the chase looked set to be one of India’s most dominant ever.
Mitchell’s Fight Keeps Kiwis Competitive
New Zealand were asked to bat first and lost Tim Seifert early. Daryl Mitchell then stepped up with a superb 89 off 52 deliveries to rescue the innings.
Finn Allen added 40 and Bevon Jacobs chipped in with 39. Together they lifted the hosts to 199 in their 20 overs, a total that looked competitive on paper.
New Zealand Innings Highlights
| Batter | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Daryl Mitchell | 89 | 52 |
| Finn Allen | 40 | – |
| Bevon Jacobs | 39 | – |
Series Momentum Firmly With India
India had already won the first two games of the five-match series. They chased down 226 with ease in the opener and then edged a thriller in the second match.
This third win clinched the series and sent a strong message. With such fearless openers, India look capable of chasing down almost any target.
For New Zealand, Mitchell’s knock was a bright spot, but the bowling attack faces serious questions. They now have to find a way to slow down an Indian top order that is playing with complete freedom.
