Abhishek Sharma’s Powerplay Blitz: The 15-Ball Fifty Behind India’s Record 118/0 at Wellington

Abhishek Sharma was the man behind the most destructive powerplay in T20I history. In the third T20I against New Zealand at Wellington on October 27, 2026, the Indian opener smashed a 15-ball fifty and raced to 67 off just 20 balls as India posted a record 118/0 in the first six overs while chasing New Zealand’s 198/3. Alongside Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek turned the first six overs into a record-breaking assault that left New Zealand with no answers.

First over: 26 runs set the tone

The blitz began from the very first ball. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hit a boundary off his first delivery from Jacob Duffy, and Abhishek Sharma smashed a six off his first ball as India took 26 runs from the opening over. It was the most expensive opening over ever conceded by a full-member team in T20Is, and reports noted it was the eighth time in T20Is that Abhishek had hit a six off his first delivery.

Fastest team fifty: 50 runs in 2.2 overs

There was no slowing down. India raced to 50 runs in just 2.2 overs, or 14 balls, equalling the fastest team fifty ever recorded in T20Is. Adam Milne’s over went for 17 runs, and by the time Abhishek reached his fifty, India were already 80/0 in only 3.4 overs.

Abhishek Sharma 15-ball fifty: third-fastest by an Indian

Abhishek reached his fifty in just 15 balls, with a six off Kyle Jamieson over square leg. It was the third-fastest fifty by an Indian batter in T20I cricket. The quickest fifty by an Indian remains Yuvraj Singh’s famous 12-ball fifty, and Abhishek himself sits second on India’s list, which makes this 15-ball effort the third-fastest by an Indian in the format.

By the end of the powerplay, Abhishek had scored 67 runs off 20 balls with 7 fours and 6 sixes. His hitting was clean and fearless, with boundaries on both sides of the wicket and sixes struck off good-length balls as well as loose ones.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: the perfect partner at the other end

Abhishek did not do it alone. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi matched him stroke for stroke and was batting on 44 off 17 balls at the end of the six overs. The left-handed pair put on 118 runs for the first wicket in the powerplay without being separated, the highest opening stand in a powerplay in T20I history. Sooryavanshi’s first-ball boundary and his fearless strokeplay meant New Zealand could not build any pressure from either end.

100 in 5 overs, 118/0 in 6 overs: the records Abhishek’s blitz created

Abhishek’s hitting powered two world records in the same innings. India reached 100 runs in just 5 overs, the fastest team hundred in T20I history, beating South Africa’s previous mark of 5.3 overs against the West Indies. One over later, India closed the powerplay on 118/0, the highest powerplay score ever in T20Is, passing Romania’s 116/0 against Serbia from 2021.

Match context: New Zealand 198/3, India chasing 199

The blitz came in a high-scoring match. New Zealand, put in to bat after India won the toss, posted 198/3 in 20 overs. Daryl Mitchell top-scored with an unbeaten 89 off 52 balls, Finn Allen hit 40 off 25 balls and Bevon Jacobs finished 39 not out off 23 balls. Arshdeep Singh was India’s most economical bowler with 1/33 in 4 overs. India led the five-match series 2-0 before this match, having won both games at Christchurch by 4 wickets.

Why Abhishek Sharma’s powerplay blitz matters

Powerplay batting decides most T20 matches, and Abhishek’s innings showed why he is regarded as one of the most dangerous openers in the format. His 15-ball fifty was not slogging alone: it was built on picking the right balls, using the short square boundaries at Wellington, and never letting the bowlers settle. For India, the innings also confirmed the value of pairing two fearless left-handers at the top of the order.

How many runs did Abhishek Sharma score in the powerplay?

Abhishek Sharma scored 67 runs off 20 balls by the end of the six-over powerplay against New Zealand at Wellington.

How fast was Abhishek Sharma’s fifty?

Abhishek Sharma reached his fifty in just 15 balls, the third-fastest fifty by an Indian batter in T20I cricket.

Who was Abhishek Sharma’s opening partner?

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi opened with Abhishek Sharma and scored 44 off 17 balls in the powerplay as the pair put on 118/0.

What record did India’s powerplay set?

India’s 118/0 is the highest powerplay score ever in T20I history, and the team also set the fastest team hundred record by reaching 100 in 5 overs.