Wellington: India opener Abhishek Sharma etched his name further into the record books on Tuesday, becoming the Indian batsman with the most centuries in T20 cricket after slamming his 11th T20 ton in the third T20 International against New Zealand.
The 26-year-old’s blistering 113 off just 38 balls, laced with nine fours and 11 sixes, powered India to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory while chasing 199. He reached his fifty in only 15 balls and completed the century in 35 deliveries before falling for 113. India wrapped up the target in 13.2 overs, with Vaibhav contributing a quick 45. The openers had put on a destructive 133-run stand in just 7.1 overs.
With this knock, Abhishek overtook Virat Kohli, who has 10 T20 centuries. He now sits third on the all-time list of most T20 centuries, behind only West Indies’ Chris Gayle (22) and Pakistan’s Babar Azam (13). Quinton de Kock and Kohli share fourth place with 10 each.
This was also Abhishek’s fourth century in T20 Internationals, equalling former India captain Suryakumar Yadav. Australia’s Glenn Maxwell and India’s Rohit Sharma remain joint leaders with five T20I hundreds each.
Further Milestones
Abhishek’s 11 sixes in the innings marked the third time he has hit 10 or more sixes in a single T20I knock, moving past Chris Gayle, who has achieved the feat twice. Austria’s Karanbir Singh leads this list with five such innings.
He also continues to dominate India’s record for the most sixes in a T20I innings. Abhishek occupies the top three positions with 13 sixes (against England in Mumbai, 2025), 11 (against Afghanistan in Delhi, 2026) and another 11 in this match against New Zealand.
Match Summary
New Zealand, batting first after losing the toss, posted 198 for three, led by Daryl Mitchell’s 89, supported by Finn Allen (40) and Bevon Jacobs (39). Arshdeep Singh, Nitish and Axar Patel claimed one wicket each for India.
India’s emphatic chase gave them an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. The fourth T20I will be played in Auckland on October 30.
