Who said what – Top 5 expert reactions to Abhishek Sharma’s blistering 113 off 38 balls in NZ vs IND 2026 3rd T20I ft. Ravi Shastri

India opener Abhishek Sharma stole the show with a breathtaking century in the third T20I of the five-match series against New Zealand. The match took place in Wellington on Tuesday, October 27.

Asked to bat first, the hosts posted 198/3 in 20 overs, with Daryl Mitchell leading the scoring with an unbeaten 89 off 52 balls, including five fours and as many sixes. In reply, Abhishek went on the attack from the outset, bringing up his half-century in just 15 balls. Alongside Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, he took the New Zealand bowlers to the cleaners as India amassed 118 runs in the powerplay.

The duo added 133 runs off just 43 deliveries before Sooryavanshi departed for 45 off 19 balls, striking four fours and four sixes. Abhishek continued his onslaught, registering his fourth T20I century and reaching the milestone in just 35 balls.

He eventually finished with a blistering 113 off 38 deliveries, studded with nine fours and 11 sixes. India cruised to a commanding six-wicket victory in just 13.2 overs, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead with two matches remaining.

Following Abhishek Sharma’s explosive knock, here are the top five expert reactions to the left-hander’s sensational innings.

#1 Irfan Pathan

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan described Abhishek Sharma’s century on New Zealand soil as a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. Speaking on his YouTube channel (Irfan Pathan), he said:

“If you keep bowling the same line to him, allowing him to play on the off side, he won’t spare you. That’s why it is very difficult to bowl to him. If the pitch is not slow, or you don’t change your lines again and again, it is difficult to survive. The century was a once-in-a-lifetime achievement because scoring a century on New Zealand soil is not a regular thing for an Indian player.”

#2 Wasim Jaffer

Speaking on his YouTube channel (Wasim Jaffer Official), the former cricketer noted that Abhishek Sharma has always been strong on the off side but has now added straight hitting to his repertoire, along with his pull shot. With his ability to dominate spin as well, Jaffer believes the 26-year-old has taken his game to another level. He said:

“The off side was always his strength, as he would move away and play his shots in that direction. Now, he has started hitting the ball a little straighter as well. When teams target him, he also plays the pull shot, so he doesn’t score all his runs in just one direction. We have often said that he is one of the best hitters of spin. When he is in his rhythm, he simply doesn’t allow spinners to settle or bowl comfortably. Now, I feel Abhishek Sharma has reached a completely different level.”

#3 Ravi Shastri

Former India cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri praised Abhishek Sharma for punishing loose deliveries and adapting his game to the field and ground dimensions. Speaking on Sony Sports, Shastri noted that the left-hander’s wristwork allows him to clear the shorter square boundaries even when he mistimes his shots. He said:

“I mean, to play that shot, the first ball of the innings for six, he announces himself. His off-side play, we have said it time and again, is fabulous to watch. Just didn’t spare any loose delivery. It was as if he was playing the field and the dimensions of the ground. A magnificent innings. He has got good wrists. If the square boundaries are on a shorter side, even if at times he mistimes it, it will still go for six. Very dangerous player, and he has worked on his game, obviously, because a lot of sides started doing it to him.”

#4 Krishnamachari Srikkanth

Member of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team and former opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth praised Abhishek Sharma’s shot-making range on the off side and his bat swing. He noted that even if the southpaw gets out early while being ultra-aggressive in two consecutive games, he will return with the same approach in the third. Speaking on his YouTube channel (Cheeky Cheeka), he said:

“He batted at a different level. His range on the off-side is astounding. Your only hope against him is tucking him up. But if that even misses slightly, he’ll whack it for a six. I am not sure where a bowler bowls to him or what they can do. His bat swing is so superb and he bats carefree. Even if he gets out early in two innings by slogging, he’ll smash it like this in the third innings. That’s more than enough, if you smash it like this every third innings. You can’t expect too much consistency when a guy plays like this. You almost think why not Abhishek in ODIs also.”

#5 Subramaniam Badrinath

Former India cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath hailed Abhishek Sharma as the world’s No. 1 T20 batter, stating that the left-hander is operating at a different level. He added that even totals of 200-250 are no longer safe against India, with Abhishek being the primary reason behind the team’s formidable batting. Speaking on his YouTube channel (Cric It with Badri), he said:

“We can say that he is on another level. For me, in modern-day T20 cricket, he is one of the best openers. What a performance this has been. It is very difficult for any team playing against India. No matter how much they score, 200 or 250, any score is not safe in front of this batting line-up. And the main reason for that is Abhishek Sharma. The team is in a good mindset as they are playing and winning this way. For me, Abhishek is the No.1 T20 batter in the world right now.”

Abhishek Sharma has featured in 70 T20Is, scoring 2,240 runs at an average of 33.43 and a strike rate of 196.83, including 14 half-centuries and four centuries.

Edited by Dev Sharma