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India vs New Zealand 2nd T20I match is underway at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch. Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have once again been off to a breezy start. The Southpaw has been the aggressor, as during the match he achieved a milestone as he became the first man to hit 100 T20I sixes in the powerplay.
The Men in Blue in the first T20I completely dominated in the 226-run chase as they completed the highest successful run chase in T20I history. It was crafted by Sanju and Abhishek when they stitched 93 runs inside the powerplay, which helped the middle order to play their strokes, win the game, and take a lead in the series.
Abhishek Sharma creates history, becomes first man to hit 100 T20I sixes in powerplay
Abhishek Sharma has been in excellent form; he has been India’s second-best batter after Ishan Kishan’s comeback into the side. The No. 2-ranked batter surpassed the record of former India captain Rohit Sharma, who struck 98 sixes in the powerplay in 1672 balls. The Southpaw has struck 100 sixes in 776 balls; this showcases his six-hitting prowess.
Abhishek Sharma becomes the first man to hit 100 T20I sixes in the Powerplay. Most T20I PP sixes (balls): 100* - Abhishek (776) 98 - Rohit Sharma (1672) 97 - Martin Guptill (1609) #INDvsNZ
— Lalith Kalidas (@lal__kal) October 24, 2026
Martin Guptill is the other batter to hit 97 sixes in the powerplay. Abhishek has been known for his six-hitting prowess, whether in the powerplay or outside the powerplay. He has been a match-winner for India since his debut and has broken several records until today and will look to surpass some other records as well.
Abhishek Sharma becomes second Indian to score 1,000 runs in T20Is in 2026
Abhishek, in the same innings, became the second Indian in 2026 to surpass the 1000 T20I run mark. He, after Ishan Kishan, has achieved the milestone of scoring 1000+ runs in the format. Though the year has been full of ups and downs for the batter, he lost his top place in the ICC T20I rankings.
Abhishek Sharma would like to score some big runs in this series, which is still pending despite getting starts in the matches; he has failed to convert them into fifties or better. The Southpaw was excellent in the series against Afghanistan and had a relatively quiet series against West Indies, scoring just one fifty in the series.
India in deep trouble
Coming to the match, India, after winning the toss, elected to bowl first; they had the better of the Kiwi top order; however, yet again it was Glenn Phillips who stood tall alongside Bevon Jacobs as the two stitched a partnership of 116 runs off 76 balls, which helped the Black Caps recover.
Philips played a knock of 70 off 43 deliveries, smashing four sixes and as many fours, and Jacobs, who took his time, played a solid knock of 58 runs off 46 deliveries, smacking five fours and one six. This helped the side to post a good total of 180 runs.
While chasing, India had a breezy start, but they lost half the side inside 70 runs, with Tilak Varma at the crease and Naman Dhir having come in. The two need to build a partnership to get close to the total.
