India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I Match Result: India Win With 40 Balls to Spare, Seal Series 3-0
India beat New Zealand in the third T20I at Wellington on October 27, 2026, chasing down New Zealand’s 199 with 40 balls to spare to seal the five-match series 3-0 with two matches still to play. The win was set up by a record-breaking powerplay, as openers Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took India to 118/0 in the first six overs, the highest powerplay score ever in T20I cricket.
India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I result: India win with 40 balls to spare
India won the third T20I against New Zealand at Wellington, completing the chase of 199 in 13.2 overs, with 40 balls still remaining. The result gave India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, having already won both matches at Christchurch, the first by 4 wickets after chasing 226 and the second by 4 wickets after chasing 181.
New Zealand 198/3: Mitchell 89 not out sets the target
New Zealand, put in to bat after India won the toss, posted 198/3 in 20 overs. Daryl Mitchell anchored the innings with an unbeaten 89 off 52 balls, Finn Allen hit 40 off 25 balls and Bevon Jacobs finished 39 not out off 23 balls. Glenn Phillips made 17 and Tim Seifert scored 2. Arshdeep Singh was India’s most economical bowler with 1/33 in 4 overs, while Axar Patel took 1/36 and Nitish Kumar Reddy 1/38.
The record powerplay: 118/0 in six overs
India’s chase was effectively decided in the powerplay. Abhishek Sharma smashed a 15-ball fifty and reached 67 off 20 balls by the end of six overs, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 44 off 17 balls. India took 26 runs off the first over from Jacob Duffy, reached 50 in just 2.2 overs, and brought up the fastest team 100 in T20I history in only 5 overs. The highest powerplay score of 118/0 passed Romania’s 116/0 against Serbia from 2021. The full live update of the chase covered every over of the assault.
What the result means for the series
With the series sealed 3-0, the remaining two matches, the fourth T20I on October 30 and the fifth T20I on November 1, are dead rubbers in terms of the series result, but they give both teams a chance to test combinations ahead of bigger assignments. For India, the Wellington win confirmed the value of their fearless opening pair, while New Zealand will look to avoid a 5-0 sweep on home soil.
India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I: key numbers
New Zealand 198/3 in 20 overs (Daryl Mitchell 89 not out off 52, Finn Allen 40 off 25, Bevon Jacobs 39 not out off 23). India chased 199 with 40 balls to spare. India powerplay: 118/0, the highest in T20I history. Fastest team 100: India, 5 overs. Abhishek Sharma fifty: 15 balls, the third-fastest by an Indian in T20Is. Series: India lead 3-0 with two matches remaining.
By how many balls did India beat New Zealand in the 3rd T20I?
India beat New Zealand with 40 balls to spare in the 3rd T20I at Wellington, finishing the chase of 199 in 13.2 overs.
What is the series score after the 3rd T20I?
India lead the five-match series 3-0 after winning the third T20I at Wellington, with the fourth T20I on October 30 and the fifth on November 1 still to play.
Who were India’s heroes in the 3rd T20I win?
Abhishek Sharma, with a 15-ball fifty and 67 off 20 balls in the powerplay, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, with 44 off 17 balls, set up the win with a record 118/0 opening stand in the powerplay.