Abhishek's 113 Sends India Past 198 in 13.2 Overs

Abhishek Sharma scored 113 off 38 balls and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added 45 to carry India to a six-wicket win over New Zealand in the third T20I in Wellington on Tuesday. India reached New Zealand's 198 for 13.2 overs, taking the five-match series with two games left.

The opening pair put together 133 runs in 7.1 overs. Jacob Duffy's first over went for 26 runs, and New Zealand could not slow the scoring from there. Abhishek struck nine fours and 11 sixes before Kyle Jamieson dismissed him; he received a standing ovation. India stood at 178 for 2 after 10 overs. Sooryavanshi, moved up to open after batting at number three in the second T20I, made four fours and four sixes off 19 balls.

"The key was pretty simple: Vaibhav and I enjoyed our time," Abhishek said. He added that India's bowlers saw extra bounce while fielding and that Sooryavanshi "started off well, and we took the momentum from there."

New Zealand's innings began with Tim Seifert edging Arshdeep Singh for two before Daryl Mitchell combined with Finn Allen for an 86-run stand. Mitchell scored 89 off 52 balls, with five fours and five sixes, moving around the crease to handle the seam movement from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep. Allen made 40 off 25. Bevon Jacobs closed with an unbeaten 39 off 23 balls.

"Getting 100 in five overs, I have not seen that before at the international level," India captain Shreyas Iyer said. "Credit where it is due, the way they played was exceptional."

India won the toss for the third time in three matches and again chose to bowl. The fourth T20I is set for Friday at Auckland's Eden Park.