'Won't be forgotten in a long time': Abhishek Sharma's 35-ball century leaves everyone in awe

Everyone watching the third T20 international between New Zealand and India couldn't help but sit back and admire the batting of opener Abhishek Sharma.Abhishek hit a 35-ball century to help his side to a six-wicket win in Wellington and a three-nil lead in the five-match series.The 26-year-old's innings of 113 came off 38 balls with all but 11 of those runs scored in boundaries."We'll take our hat off to him," Black Caps batter Daryl Mitchell said after the game, "It was pretty special.""I think some of that hitting was world class and that's why he is one of the best in the world."It was definitely his night and I'm sure it's one that people won't forget in a long time."Abhishek's knock is no surprise, he smashed a record 30-ball ton against Afghanistan in Delhi last month.He has now scored four centuries in 70 T20 internationals. He said it is a result of how much he practices."Obviously, I feel it's not that easy, but it's just the preparation behind the scenes," Abhishek said in a post match interview."I feel that preparation is really important as a batter. If you see the [pitch] conditions and the [ground] dimensions, that's always in your mind and then you have to keep the bowlers also in your mind and play the shots according to the ball. And that's all I do."Abhishek is currently the number two ranked T20 batter in the world, but he is likely to overtake team-mate Ishan Kishan in the near future.India players Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.Kerry Marshall/www.photosport.nzIt was a record night for the visitors with Abhishek and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scoring a record 118 runs in the powerplay [first six overs].The opening pair put on 133 in 7.1 overs, setting their side up for an easy victory with 40 balls to spare as they chased down their target of 199.The New Zealand bowlers had no answers with Jacob Duffy going for 44 runs off two overs while Kyle Jamieson went for 45 off 3.2 overs."A great power play," Mitchell said, "We threw a few different plans at both of them there to try and slow them down and tonight wasn't our night."You take your hat off and say well played and look forward to Eden Park."The fourth game is in Auckland on Friday night.