India smash T20I powerplay world record with 118/0 in Wellington
Synopsis
India's openers Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi didn't just chase — they dismantled history. A 118/0 powerplay in Wellington is now the highest-ever six-over score in men's T20I cricket, surpassing Romania's 116/0 from 2021. For a full-member nation, it is simply unprecedented — and it came while chasing 199.
Key Takeaways
India scored 118/0 in the powerplay against New Zealand in Wellington on 27 October 2026 — a new men's T20I world record.
The previous record was 116/0 by Romania vs Serbia in 2021 .
Abhishek Sharma was unbeaten on 57 off 20 balls ; Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 44 off 17 balls .
India reached their team hundred in 5 overs — the fastest ever by a full-member nation, and second-fastest overall.
India's team fifty came in 2.2 overs — joint-fastest in men's T20I history alongside Papua New Guinea and Romania.
India were chasing a target of 199 in the third T20I at Hnry Stadium, Wellington .
India shattered the world record for the highest-ever powerplay score in men's T20 internationals, blasting 118/0 from the opening six overs while chasing 199 against New Zealand in the third T20I at Hnry Stadium, Wellington on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. The opening stand between Abhishek Sharma and debutant-promoted Vaibhav Sooryavanshi rewrote the record books in extraordinary fashion.
The Record-Breaking Stand
Abhishek Sharma was unbeaten on 57 off 20 balls at the end of the powerplay, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi — promoted up the order — was equally destructive on 44 off 17 deliveries, leaving the duo unscathed. Together, they made a mockery of a depleted New Zealand bowling attack, attacking relentlessly from the first ball of the chase.
Powerplay Records Rewritten
The 118/0 tally surpassed the previous highest powerplay score in men's T20Is — 116/0 set by Romania against Serbia in Sofia in 2021 (achieved in 5.4 overs). Australia's 113/1 against Scotland in Edinburgh in 2024 is now third on the all-time list. This is the highest powerplay score ever recorded by a full-member nation in the format's history.
The highest powerplay totals in men's T20Is (where data is available):
- 118/0 — India vs New Zealand, Wellington, 2026
- 116/0 — Romania vs Serbia, Sofia, 2021 (5.4 overs)
- 113/1 — Australia vs Scotland, Edinburgh, 2024
- 103/1 — Zimbabwe vs Gambia, Nairobi (RSC), 2024
- 102/0 — South Africa vs West Indies, Centurion, 2023
- 100/0 — England vs South Africa, Old Trafford, 2025
- 100/0 — India vs Afghanistan, Delhi, 2026
More Milestones in the Opening Overs
India also reached the 100-run mark in just five overs, the second-fastest team hundred in T20I history. Only Eswatini, who achieved the feat in 4.5 overs against Mozambique earlier in 2026, have done it faster. Among full-member nations, India are now the fastest to a team hundred in T20Is, edging past South Africa and Australia, who each achieved it in 5.3 overs against West Indies and Scotland respectively.
Additionally, India brought up their team fifty in just 2.2 overs — jointly the fastest by any team in men's T20I history, level with Papua New Guinea (against Vanuatu) and Romania (against Serbia).
Context and What It Means
This extraordinary powerplay display came with India needing to chase down 199 — itself a challenging target on any pitch. Notably, India had already scored 100/0 in a powerplay against Afghanistan in Delhi earlier in 2026, suggesting this batting unit's aggressive powerplay template is becoming a consistent weapon rather than a one-off. The carnage also underscored the vulnerability of New Zealand's bowling resources, with the hosts appearing unable to find a foothold against relentless Indian aggression from ball one. The series result now comes sharply into focus, with India in the ascendancy heading into the final stages of this T20I fixture.
Point of View
Conventional field placements and pace variations are rendered ineffective inside six overs. The fact that this is India's second powerplay score of 100-plus in 2026 alone suggests this is not a fluke but a repeatable template. For New Zealand, and for any side India face in future, the implication is stark — concede a boundary-heavy target and the powerplay phase alone may already have decided the match.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is India's new T20I powerplay world record?
India scored 118/0 in the first six overs of their chase against New Zealand in Wellington on 27 October 2026, setting a new world record for the highest powerplay score in men's T20I cricket. It surpassed the previous record of 116/0 set by Romania against Serbia in 2021.
Who scored for India in the record powerplay?
Abhishek Sharma was unbeaten on 57 off 20 balls and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 44 off 17 deliveries at the end of the powerplay. The two openers combined for the record-breaking stand without losing a wicket.
How does India's powerplay record compare to other nations?
India's 118/0 is the highest-ever powerplay score by any team in men's T20Is where data is available. Among full-member nations it is also the highest, with Australia's 113/1 against Scotland in 2024 the previous benchmark for an ICC full member.
How quickly did India reach 50 and 100 runs in the powerplay?
India brought up their team fifty in 2.2 overs — jointly the fastest in men's T20I history — and crossed 100 runs in five overs, the second-fastest overall and the fastest ever by a full-member nation.
What was the context of the record — what were India chasing?
India were chasing a target of 199 set by New Zealand in the third T20I at Hnry Stadium, Wellington. The record-breaking powerplay effectively gave India a flying start in what was a demanding chase.
