India Create T20I History: 118/0 Highest Powerplay Score Ever and Fastest Team 100 vs New Zealand
Yes, it is a new world record, in fact more than one. India rewrote the T20I record books in the third T20I against New Zealand at Wellington on October 27, 2026, smashing 118/0 in the powerplay, the highest powerplay score ever in T20I cricket, and reaching the team hundred in just 5 overs, the fastest team 100 in T20I history. The carnage came during India’s chase of New Zealand’s 198/3, with openers Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dismantling the home attack from the very first ball.
Highest powerplay score in T20I history: India 118/0
India scored 118 runs without losing a wicket in the first six overs against New Zealand at Wellington, setting a new world record for the highest powerplay score in T20Is. The previous record belonged to Romania, who had scored 116/0 against Serbia at Sofia in 2021. Before this match, the highest powerplay score by an ICC full-member team was Australia’s 113/1 against Scotland at Edinburgh in 2024.
At the end of the six overs, Abhishek Sharma was batting on 67 off 20 balls and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on 44 off 17 balls. India scored at nearly 20 runs per over throughout the powerplay, leaving New Zealand with no answers.
| Highest powerplay scores in T20Is | Score | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| India vs New Zealand | 118/0 | Wellington | 2026 |
| Romania vs Serbia | 116/0 | Sofia | 2021 |
| Australia vs Scotland | 113/1 | Edinburgh | 2024 |
| Zimbabwe vs Gambia | 103/1 | Nairobi | 2024 |
| South Africa vs West Indies | 102/0 | Centurion | 2023 |
| England vs South Africa | 100/0 | Old Trafford | 2025 |
| India vs Afghanistan | 100/0 | Delhi | 2026 |
Fastest team 100 in T20I history: India reach 100 in 5 overs
India also set the record for the fastest team hundred in T20Is, reaching 100 runs in just 5 overs. The previous record belonged to South Africa, who had taken 5.3 overs to reach 100 against the West Indies. India’s hundred came with all 10 wickets still in hand, during the same Wellington chase.
Fastest team fifty in T20Is: India reach 50 in 2.2 overs
The records began even earlier. India raced to 50 runs in just 2.2 overs, or 14 balls, which equals the fastest team fifty ever recorded in T20Is. Papua New Guinea against Vanuatu at Port Moresby in 2019 and Romania against Serbia at Sofia in 2021 share the same mark of 2.2 overs.
Most expensive opening over by a full-member team: 26 runs
The tone was set in the very first over. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi hit a boundary off his first ball and Abhishek Sharma smashed a six off his first delivery as India took 26 runs off Jacob Duffy’s opening over. It was the most expensive opening over ever conceded by a full-member team in T20Is.
Abhishek Sharma 15-ball fifty: third-fastest by an Indian in T20Is
Abhishek Sharma reached his fifty in just 15 balls, 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. Abhishek reached the milestone with a six off Kyle Jamieson as India raced to 80/0 in only 3.4 overs.
Match context: New Zealand 198/3, India chasing 199
The records 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 these records matter
Powerplay records are among the hardest to break in T20 cricket because they demand six overs of near-perfect hitting without losing a wicket. India’s 118/0 passed a record that had stood since 2021, and the fastest team hundred broke South Africa’s mark as well. Together, the two records in a single innings underline how India’s opening pair has changed what a T20 chase can look like in the first six overs.
What is the highest powerplay score in T20I history?
India’s 118/0 against New Zealand at Wellington on October 27, 2026, is the highest powerplay score in T20I history.
What is the fastest team 100 in T20Is?
India’s 100 in 5 overs against New Zealand at Wellington is the fastest team hundred in T20I history, beating South Africa’s 5.3 overs against the West Indies.
How fast was Abhishek Sharma’s fifty against New Zealand?
Abhishek Sharma reached fifty in 15 balls, the third-fastest fifty by an Indian batter in T20I cricket.
What was India’s previous best powerplay score?
India’s previous best was 100/0 against Afghanistan at Delhi in 2026, which is now second on India’s own list behind the 118/0 at Wellington.