Abhishek Sharma delivered a breathtaking performance in the third T20 International against New Zealand in Wellington on October 27, 2026, setting a new world record for the most sixes hit by a batter representing a Full Member nation in a calendar year. The explosive India opener surpassed former captain Rohit Sharma’s previous record during a remarkable innings that helped India secure a six-wicket victory.
Abhishek smashed 113 runs off just 38 balls, including nine fours and 11 sixes, as India chased New Zealand’s target of 199 in only 13.2 overs. The victory gave India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series.
Abhishek’s aggressive approach has made him one of the most dangerous batters in international T20 cricket. During the Wellington match, he moved past Rohit Sharma’s record of 80 sixes in a calendar year, which the former India captain established in 2023.
Abhishek reached 85 sixes in 2026, setting a new benchmark for a batter representing a Full Member nation. The achievement reflects his ability to maintain an exceptional scoring rate while consistently clearing the boundary.
His latest performance adds to a series of impressive milestones in a year in which he has continued to strengthen his position as a key player in India’s T20I batting line-up.
Also Read: India Become First Team to Record 200 Men’s T20I Wins After Beating New Zealand
Chasing 199 for victory, India needed a strong start, and Abhishek provided exactly that. The left-handed opener attacked the New Zealand bowlers from the beginning, finding boundaries across the ground and putting the hosts under immediate pressure.
He reached his century in just 35 balls before eventually departing for 113 from 38 deliveries. His innings included nine fours and 11 sixes, giving India the momentum needed to complete the chase comfortably.
India reached 202/4 in 13.2 overs, winning with 40 balls remaining. The result demonstrated the impact of Abhishek’s power-hitting and gave India a commanding advantage in the series.
Young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also played a major role in India’s dominant batting display. Opening alongside Abhishek, the 15-year-old scored 45 off 19 balls, taking on the New Zealand attack with confidence.
The pair added 133 runs for the opening wicket in just 44 balls, putting India firmly in control of the chase. Their partnership helped India score 118 runs in the first six overs, setting a new record for a Powerplay total by a team from a Full Member nation in men’s T20Is.
Sooryavanshi’s aggressive contribution complemented Abhishek’s century and left New Zealand struggling to contain India’s scoring rate.
India’s six-wicket win in Wellington secured the five-match T20I series with two matches still to play. The victory followed India’s wins in the opening two matches and highlighted the team’s strong batting form.
New Zealand had posted 198, with Daryl Mitchell scoring an unbeaten 89 to help the hosts set a competitive target. However, India’s openers took control early, ensuring that the required run rate never became a major concern.
India will now look to build on their momentum in the remaining fixtures, while New Zealand will aim to respond after losing the series.
Also Read: Devdutt Padikkal Scores 199 as India A Stage Remarkable Comeback Against New Zealand A
Abhishek’s latest achievement underlines his growing influence in international T20 cricket. His ability to score quickly, attack different types of bowling and maintain pressure throughout the innings has made him an important part of India’s plans in the format.
Breaking Rohit Sharma’s calendar-year six-hitting record is another significant milestone in his career. Rohit remains one of India’s most accomplished white-ball batters, making Abhishek’s achievement particularly notable.
With his confidence and attacking style continuing to produce results, Abhishek will be aiming to maintain his form through the rest of the series and upcoming international assignments.
His century against New Zealand was not just a match-winning innings; it was also a record-setting performance that strengthened India’s position in the series and added another landmark to the team’s T20I history.

Tilak Varma has praised India’s bowlers for their performances in high-scoring T20Is against New Zealand, highlighting Prince Yadav’s yorkers and the team’s death-over execution ahead of the fourth match in Auckland.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi returns to India's XI for the second T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch. India captain Shreyas Iyer opted to bowl, with Sooryavanshi replacing injured Ishan Kishan and batting at No. 3.

India became the first team to record 200 men’s T20I wins after beating New Zealand by four wickets in Christchurch. Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy shared an unbeaten 69-run stand to complete a tense chase of 181.