India seals T20 series after defeating Black Caps in Wellington

India has secured an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match Twenty20 international series after a six-wicket victory over New Zealand at Hnry Stadium on Tuesday night. The visitors chased down New Zealand's target of 198 in just 13.2 overs, leaving 40 balls remaining in the innings.

Abhishek Sharma led the onslaught with 113 runs from 38 balls, a performance that included 11 sixes. He shared a 133-run opening partnership with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who scored 45 from 19 balls. The pair set a new world record for the highest powerplay total between full nations, scoring 118 runs without loss.

New Zealand's innings reached 198-3, bolstered by Daryl Mitchell's career-best 89 not out from 52 balls. Other contributors included Finn Allen with 40 runs and Bevon Jacobs with 39 not out. Despite the high total, the Black Caps were unable to contain the Indian openers, who reached 50 runs in just 2.2 overs.

Black Caps captain Mitchell Santner noted the difficulty of stopping the Indian batters and mentioned the upcoming match at Eden Park. The series now moves to Auckland on Friday.

How it developed

• Wed 28 Oct, 6:18amAbhishek Sharma celebrated his century with a meditation gesture similar to Erling Haaland's

Where reports differ

• Reports vary on the exact number of sixes hit by Abhishek Sharma, citing either 10 or 11
• One report states the powerplay record was 116 set by Romania, while others state it was 118 by India

Compiled from reports by NZ Herald, Stuff, The Post, RNZ and 1News.