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Abhishek Sharma smashed a 14-ball fifty, the second-fastest T20I half-century by an Indian, leading India to an eight-wicket win over Recent Zealand at Barsapara Cricket Stadium.
Abhishek Sharma opens up on breaking Yuvraj Singh’s record
India’s explosive opener Abhishek Sharma smashed the second-fastest T20I half-century by an Indian, reaching the milestone in only 14 balls through the third T20I against Recent Zealand on the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Sunday, leading India to a convincing victory.
Abhishek’s dynamic innings included five fours and 4 sixes, surpassing Hardik Pandya’s previous record of a 16-ball fifty for India in T20Is. Yuvraj Singh holds the fastest fifty by an Indian in T20 cricket, achieved in 12 balls against England in 2007, a historic knock in T20I cricket.
Chasing 154, India quickly reached 94/2 within the powerplay, largely resulting from Abhishek’s explosive performance. The 25-year-old remained unbeaten on 68 off just 20 deliveries, steering India to an eight-wicket win and solidifying his popularity as considered one of the team’s strongest hitters.
Reflecting on his remarkable innings, Abhishek said, “That’s what my team wants from me, and I just wish to execute on a regular basis. But obviously, it’s hard to do it each time, but I feel it’s all about mental in addition to the atmosphere you get around your dressing room as well. That’s greater than inconceivable for anyone (to interrupt Yuvraj’s fastest T20 fifty record), but still, you never know. Any batsman could do it because I feel all of the batters have been batting rather well on this series as well, and going forward, it’s going to be fun.”
On hitting a six off the primary ball, he added, “I wouldn’t say it’s like I need to go from the primary ball. It’s just the instinct I get in between the wickets. I feel in regards to the bowler if he desires to get out on my first ball, then what he could bowl to me and that’s all the time there in my mind and I just wish to play on that ball.”
Explaining his progressive footwork, Abhishek stated, “For those who see that, that’s all in regards to the field placement because I never step out to the leg-side if I don’t get fielding on … there’s a leg side, because if I get room for myself, then I even have the entire ground off-side for me. So, that’s all the time in my mind. I just wish to play with the sector.”
Abhishek’s scintillating performance not only secured a dominant win for India but additionally established him as a rising star within the team’s T20 setup ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
Guwahati [Gauhati], India, India
January 26, 2026, 00:11 IST
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