Abhishek Sharma's 35-ball century powers India to six-wicket win over New Zealand; hosts take unassailable 3-0 lead

Abhishek Sharma produced a breathtaking batting display, smashing a 35-ball century to power India to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third T20I on Tuesday. The left-handed opener blazed his way to 113 off just 38 deliveries as India chased down the target with 40 balls to spare, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Abhishek's sensational knock featured nine fours and 11 sixes, helping him surpass Virat Kohli to become India's leading century-maker in men's T20 cricket. The 24-year-old now has 11 hundreds in the format, moving ahead of Kohli, who has 10. The Indian opener also joined the elite list of the most prolific century-makers in men's T20 cricket, moving into third place behind Chris Gayle and Babar Azam. India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first. New Zealand lost Tim Seifert early, but Finn Allen and Daryl Mitchell counter-attacked to give the hosts a strong platform. Allen fell in the 40s, while Mitchell remained unbeaten on 89. Bevon Jacobs also contributed a useful knock. India's bowling was mixed, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar struggling, but Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled well at the death to restrict New Zealand to 198, setting India a target of 199. India made a change at the top, sending young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to open with Abhishek. The move paid off as the duo launched an assault on the New Zealand attack. India raced to 118 runs in the Powerplay, a new record for the highest Powerplay total by a Full Member nation in men's T20 internationals. The opening partnership yielded 133 runs. Sooryavanshi missed a half-century but provided explosive support. He was dismissed by Matthew Fisher, who claimed his maiden T20I wicket. New Zealand's decision to hold back captain Mitchell Santner against the two left-handed openers proved costly. By the time the spinner came on, India had seized complete control. The hosts conceded 118 in the first six overs and 178 in the first 10. Jamieson and Santner picked up late wickets, but the contest was effectively decided during the opening assault. Abhishek reached his century in just 35 balls, dismantling the attack with power and timing. He was eventually dismissed by Kyle Jamieson, with Glenn Phillips taking the catch at deep mid-wicket, but the damage was done. With his 11th T20 hundred, Abhishek moved past Kohli's tally of 10 centuries for India. Globally, only Chris Gayle (22) and Babar Azam (13) have scored more centuries in men's T20 cricket. Quinton de Kock, Virat Kohli and David Warner each have 10. India completed the chase with 40 balls remaining, sealing a comprehensive victory and an unassailable series lead. The win underlined India's dominance and Abhishek's emergence as a premier T20 batter.