Daijiworld Media Network - Wellington
Wellington, Oct 27: India produced a sensational display of power-hitting to rewrite several records during the third T20I against New Zealand at the Henry Stadium on Tuesday.
Abhishek Sharma and promoted batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi led the onslaught, helping India register the highest-ever powerplay score in men's T20 internationals, smashing an incredible 118 without loss in the first six overs while chasing a target of 199.
India surpassed the previous record of 116 without loss, set by Romania against Serbia in a T20I in Sofia in 2021.
The two batters took full advantage of New Zealand's depleted bowling attack, attacking from the outset and putting the hosts under tremendous pressure. Abhishek remained unbeaten on 57 off just 20 balls, while Sooryavanshi was not out on 44 off 17 deliveries.
The highest team totals in the first six overs in men's T20Is, where data is available, are:
- 118/0 — India vs New Zealand, Wellington, 2026
- 116/0 — Romania vs Serbia, Sofia, 2021 (5.4 overs)
- 113/1 — Australia vs Scotland, Edinburgh, 2024
- 103/1 — Zimbabwe vs Gambia, Nairobi (RSC), 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
India also crossed the 100-run mark in just five overs, recording the second-fastest team hundred in men's T20Is. Eswatini hold the record, having reached 100 in 4.5 overs against Mozambique earlier this year.
The achievement is the fastest team hundred by a full-member nation, surpassing the previous marks set by South Africa and Australia, who reached the milestone in 5.3 overs against the West Indies and Scotland, respectively.
The Indian team also raced to its fifty in just 2.2 overs, equalling the joint-fastest team fifty in men's T20Is. Papua New Guinea had reached the milestone in the same number of overs against Vanuatu, while Romania had also achieved the feat against Serbia.
India's explosive start underlined the team's extraordinary batting firepower, with Abhishek and Sooryavanshi combining to set a new benchmark for power-hitting in the shortest format.