In a record-breaking performance in Guwahati, Abhishek Sharma solidified his status as India’s rising T20I superstar on January 25, 2026. During the third T20I against New Zealand, Abhishek hammered a 14-ball fifty, propelling India to a clinical series-clinching victory.
The “Mentor vs. Protege” Record Race
Abhishek’s explosive knock of 68 off 20 balls* (7 fours, 5 sixes) saw him miss his mentor Yuvraj Singh’s record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian (12 balls) by just two deliveries.
- Abhishek’s Reaction: “That [Yuvraj’s record] is more than impossible for anyone, but still, you never know,” he said post-match, noting that his aggressive approach is driven by team requirements and pure instinct.
- Yuvraj’s Cheeky Dig: Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Yuvraj congratulated his protege with a playful jab: “Still can’t get a 50 off 12 balls, can you? Well played—keep going strong!”
India vs. New Zealand 3rd T20I: Match Summary
India chased down a target of 154 in just 10 overs, winning by 8 wickets to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the 5-match series.
- India: 155/2 (Abhishek Sharma 68*, Suryakumar Yadav 57*)
- New Zealand: 153/9 (Glenn Phillips 48; Jasprit Bumrah 3/17, Ravi Bishnoi 2/18)
Padma Awards 2026: The “Republic Day” List
On the eve of Republic Day, the government announced 131 Padma Award recipients. Notable names from the arts and entertainment sector include:
- Padma Vibhushan: Veteran actor Dharmendra (posthumously).
- Padma Bhushan: Malayalam legend Mammootty and playback singer Alka Yagnik.
- Padma Shri: R. Madhavan, Bengali icon Prosenjit Chatterjee, and the late Satish Shah (posthumously).
Viral Controversy: Palaash Muchhal & Smriti Mandhana
Explosive allegations have emerged regarding the breakup of music composer Palaash Muchhal and cricketer Smriti Mandhana.
- The Claims: Vidnyan Mane, a family friend of Mandhana, alleged that Palaash was “caught red-handed” cheating during their planned wedding festivities in November 2025 and was reportedly confronted physically by other female cricketers.
- The Defense: Palaash has dismissed these claims as “baseless and factually incorrect,” serving a ₹10 crore defamation notice to Mane. Palaash has also deleted all photos with Mandhana from his social media.