Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made a mockery of a decent target on a tough pitch and testing conditions in the recent third T20I between New Zealand and India. This game was played at the Hnry Stadium in Wellington on October 27, 2026.
India captain Shreyas Iyer had won the toss and chosen to bowl first. Daryl Mitchell’s 89* paved the way for New Zealand’s 198/3 in 20 overs.
In response, Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added 133 runs for the first wicket in just 7.1 overs. They added a record 118 runs in the powerplay overs, with Sooryavanshi falling for 19 balls, 45, with 4 sixes and 4 fours to his name.
Abhishek Sharma continued to hammer the New Zealand bowlers in all parts of the Wellington Stadium, hitting 11 sixes and 9 fours in his 38-ball 113-run performance, while reaching the three-figure mark in just 35 balls. India won the game by 6 wickets in the end, reaching the target in just 13.2 overs.
During a conversation on BCCI.tv, Abhishek revealed that Sooryavanshi had promised to bat fearlessly, borrowing an iconic dialogue from the Bollywood film Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, during a net session before the Wellington T20I.
Sooryavanshi told Abhishek he would play in the same manner as the character in the film, using the dialogue "Bhaiya, khelunga bhi waise hihi," which translates to “Brother, I will play the same way." ”.
“Yesterday, Vaibhav told me something in the nets that I will play the same way as in the Milkha Singh movie Bhag Milkha Bhag dialogue ‘Bhaiya, khelunga bhi waise hi,'" Abhishek said during the conversation.
Watching from the non-striker's end, Abhishek said the teenager's aggression immediately lifted his confidence.
“When you are chasing 200 or 190, his first ball, first over, is his main fast baller. And if you show such aggression as an opener. Because I was on the other side, I saw that. On the first ball, the non-striker gets excited,” he said.
Abhishek was quick to recognize the young player's significance to the outcome, emphasizing that India's successful pursuit was largely due to the opening partnership.
“I feel special mention to Vaibhav. What he did today, I think, played a very crucial role today. So it goes to him,” Abhishek added.
India quickly reached 118 without losing a wicket during the powerplay thanks to the pair's assault, setting a new record for the highest team total in the opening six overs of a men's T20 International.
Before reaching 100 runs in five overs, India also achieved 50 in just 2.2 overs, matching the format's joint-fastest team fifty.
By citing Sanju Samson's readiness to change his batting order position after opening the first two games, Abhishek further emphasized the unselfish mindset in the Indian dressing room.
“One more thing. Sanju Bhai was opening the game. We can see that everyone is selfless. The atmosphere that the team showed today. It must be easy for everyone. I feel like Sanju Bhai showed his character. The whole team showed their character,” he added.
While he and Sooryavanshi got the credit for India’s win, Abhishek was quick to credit the Indian bowlers for keeping New Zealand below 225 runs, making their job easy.
"The way the bowlers came back, Akshar Paaji, Bhuvi Paaji, Arsh, Prince, and NK especially, who is a complete all-rounder. Because of that, the total was low today. And we were able to play like this," he said.
The fourth T20I between the two sides will be played in Auckland on October 30, while the fifth and final game will be hosted by Hamilton on November 1.
(BCCI inputs)
