India's Dominant Performance in Third T20I Against New Zealand

In a thrilling third T20I match against New Zealand, India's openers Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered a stunning performance, setting a record for the highest opening partnership in T20I run-chases. Their aggressive batting led India to a six-wicket victory, clinching the series 3-0. The match also reignited discussions around Simon Doull's earlier comments about Indian batters struggling in New Zealand conditions. As fans took to social media to humorously critique Doull's predictions, the Indian team looks forward to their next challenge at Eden Park. Read on for a detailed recap of the match and fan reactions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 27, 2026, 16:54 IST

Explosive Start by Indian Openers

In the third T20I of the five-match series against New Zealand, held at Hnry Stadium in Wellington on October 27, Team India's openers, Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, captivated the audience with their aggressive batting right from the start.

Chasing a target of 199 runs, the duo launched a fierce attack on New Zealand's bowlers, forming a remarkable 133-run partnership in just 7.1 overs. This achievement set a new record for the highest opening stand in T20I run-chases during the Powerplay era. Abhishek delivered a stunning performance, scoring 113 runs off just 38 balls, while Vaibhav contributed a brisk 45 runs off 19 balls.

Ultimately, India successfully chased down the target with 40 balls remaining, securing a six-wicket victory and clinching the series 3-0 with two matches still to play.

Revisiting Simon Doull's Comments

The explosive performances by Abhishek and Vaibhav brought attention back to former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull's earlier remarks regarding Indian batters in New Zealand conditions.

During the first T20I in Christchurch, Doull, who was commentating alongside former Indian captain Ravi Shastri, suggested that Indian players might struggle with their power-hitting on the larger New Zealand grounds compared to the smaller venues in India, like the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

He stated, "This is not the Bengaluru stadium (Chinnaswamy), where that ball would have gone for a six. Here, the boundary is almost 80 metres away. You need real power to clear these," while commenting on Ishan Kishan's attempt that resulted in a catch.

However, the third T20I contradicted Doull's predictions, as Abhishek and Vaibhav effortlessly cleared the 80-metre boundaries, showcasing their exceptional hitting skills.

Fans React to Doull's Predictions

Following the Indian duo's remarkable display, Doull's earlier comments quickly resurfaced on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where fans humorously criticized him.

Many users took to their accounts to mock Doull's remarks, questioning whether he and fellow commentator Ian Smith were missing Bengaluru, while others highlighted how Abhishek and Vaibhav were easily clearing boundaries in New Zealand.

Some fans further ridiculed Doull's statements, emphasizing that Indian batters were hitting boundaries despite being away from Bengaluru, with a few playfully asking if Doull and Smith were longing for the Indian city.

The consensus among fans was clear: Simon Doull likely understands now that this is not Bengaluru.

Upcoming Matches

Looking ahead, Team India and New Zealand are set to face off again at Eden Park for the fourth T20I match on Friday, October 30.