Abhishek Sharma smashed a 35-ball hundred to guide India to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in Wellington on Tuesday, as Shreyas Iyer’s side claimed an emphatic T20I series victory with two matches to spare.
Sharma, who scored the fastest T20I century against a Test-playing nation with a 30-ball ton against Afghanistan last month, was on track to surpass that feat but narrowly fell short as he brought up 113 runs off 38 deliveries.
India were set a target of 199 runs to win the third T20I and chased it down in 13.2 overs, with Sharma and 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi combining to hit the fastest team 50 in the white-ball format in just 2.2 overs.
After Daryl Mitchell top-scored for the hosts with an unbeaten 89, Sharma and Sooryavanshi put on a stand of 133 off 44 deliveries, before the latter was caught out by the Kiwi batter at long on off a Matthew Fisher delivery.
Sharma followed two overs later, hitting Kyle Jamieson up to Glenn Phillips, who was waiting at deep mid-wicket.
The result sees India seal back-to-back T20I series victories against New Zealand, following their 4-1 win on home soil in January.
More to follow…