Indian opener Abhishek Sharma has been one of the biggest stars of the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand in January 2026. His explosive batting at the top has given India rapid starts and shifted the momentum in multiple games. Across four innings, Abhishek has combined power-hitting with superb timing, making him one of the most impactful Indian batters of the series.
The series matches were played on January 21 (Nagpur), January 23 (Raipur), January 25 (Guwahati), and January 28 (Visakhapatnam), where Abhishek played a key role in India’s dominant wins before New Zealand bounced back strongly in the fourth match.
Abhishek Sharma vs New Zealand T20I Stats: Overall
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Balls Faced | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 152 | 57 | 50.67 | 266.67 | 2 | 84 |
Key Highlights
- Avg 50.67 — exceptional impact despite one rare failure
- S/R 266.67 — among the best in any multi-match T20I series
- Two explosive fifties (84 and 68*)
- Dominated both pace and spin
- Match-winner in Guwahati with 68 off 20 balls*
Abhishek Sharma vs New Zealand – T20I Match-wise Batting (2026)
| Match | Date | Venue | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | 21 Jan 2026 | Nagpur | 84 | 35 | 240.00 | c Jamieson b Sodhi |
| 2nd T20I | 23 Jan 2026 | Raipur | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | c Conway b Duffy |
| 3rd T20I | 25 Jan 2026 | Guwahati | 68* | 20 | 340.00 | Not Out |
| 4th T20I | 28 Jan 2026 | Visakhapatnam | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | c Conway b Henry |
Abhishek Sharma – Best Innings vs New Zealand
84 off 35 balls – Nagpur (21 January 2026)
- Strike rate: 240.00
- Controlled aggression inside powerplay
- Attacked Sodhi and Jamieson with ease
- Gave India a flying start in the series opener
68 off 20 balls – Guwahati (25 January 2026)*
- Strike rate: 340.00
- One of India’s fastest 60+ scores
- Finished the chase in just 10 overs
- Completely dismantled New Zealand’s bowling attack
These two innings remain among the most explosive knocks of Abhishek’s T20I career.
Abhishek Sharma Bowling Performance vs New Zealand (2026)
Abhishek bowled small spells in two matches:
| Match | Overs | Figures | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nagpur | 0.3 | 0/3 | 6.00 |
| Raipur | 1.0 | 0/12 | 12.00 |
His primary role remained batting, with only part-time overs used when required.
Why Abhishek Sharma Stood Out This Series
- Fearless batting approach
- Ultra-high strike-rate hitting
- Explosive powerplay starts
- Ability to finish games (68 in 20 balls)*
- Maintained impact despite one off day
He has emerged as one of India’s most exciting and impactful T20I openers in recent times.
Read more: Abhishek Sharma’s Explosive 84 Lights Up Nagpur in IND vs NZ 1st T20I
Abhishek Sharma’s T20I numbers against New Zealand in 2026 underline his arrival as a powerful and reliable opener. Even after a rare failure in Visakhapatnam, his strike rate and match-winning knocks highlight his value at the top. With performances like these, he is expected to play a major role in India’s upcoming T20 campaigns.
Add as a preferred source on Google
