Thanks to the stunning opening partnership, India slammed 118 runs in the first six overs of the innings to register the highest powerplay score in men's T20Is. Chasing 199 in Wellington, the duo's carnage began in the first over itself as they scored 26 runs off Jacob Duffy.

Abhishek then took control from the second over to power India past the 50-run mark in just 2.2 overs, the joint-fastest for a team in the format. Runs kept leaking from both ends as the southpaw duo sent the New Zealand bowlers to all parts of the ground.

Abhishek Sharma 🤝 Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Carnage from India's openers in Wellington 💥🇮🇳 #Cricket #NZvIND https://t.co/Abe97LPqBN

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 27, 2026

By the end of the fifth over, the visitors had already reached 100, the fastest team century in men's T20Is. 18 more runs came in the final over of the powerplay as India broke the world record for the most runs scored in the first six overs of a men's T20I innings. The duo of Abhishek and Sooryavanshi together smashed as many as 11 fours and 10 sixes in the powerplay.

100+ powerplay scores in men’s T20Is, full list

Romania held the record earlier, having chased 116 runs in just 5.4 overs against Serbia in 2021. Among full members, Australia held the record, having amassed 113-1 against Scotland in Edinburgh in 2024. India blasted away the world record without losing a wicket.

India blow New Zealand away to chase 199 in 14 overs

Thanks to Abhishek’s fourth T20I ton and his sensational 133-run opening partnership with Sooryavanshi (45), India gunned down the 199-run target in the 14th over with six wickets in hand. The visitors lost a few quick wickets, but a whirlwind start meant they could easily complete the run chase seal the series with two matches to go.

With a 35-ball century in Wellington, Abhishek Sharma has now scored four hundreds in 69 innings 🇮🇳 Only Glenn Maxwell and Rohit Sharma have more centuries in men's T20Is 💯 #Cricket #NZvIND https://t.co/UYmHVuN38a

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 27, 2026

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