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In a blistering display of power-hitting at the Barsapara Stadium, Abhishek Sharma has etched his name into the record books during the third T20I against New Zealand on January 25, 2026. Chasing a target of 154, the young southpaw turned the game into a personal highlight reel from the very first over.
His assault reached a crescendo in the 6th over against Jacob Duffy, as he raced to a 14-ball fifty, decorated with five boundaries and four towering sixes. By reaching the milestone in just 14 deliveries, Sharma has officially claimed the second spot on the list of fastest T20I half-centuries by an Indian. He now sits only behind the legendary Yuvraj Singh, further solidifying his status as a modern-day great in the shortest format of the game.
Abhishek Sharma’s destructive innings breaks records in 3rd T20I vs New Zealand
Abhishek’s performance in Guwahati was nothing short of a demolition job, as he dismantled the New Zealand bowling attack with surgical precision. Coming off a series of high-scoring games, Abhishek entered the crease and immediately signaled his intent, despite losing Sanju Samson for a golden duck at the other end. He took a particular liking to the pace of Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson, using his signature bat speed to clear the ropes with ease and reaching his half-century in the final over of the powerplay. This 14-ball milestone is not just his personal best but now stands as the fastest fifty ever recorded against New Zealand in T20I history. By the time he was done, he had provided India with their second-highest powerplay score ever, ensuring that the chase of 154 was a mere formality and putting the Kiwis’ bowlers in a state of absolute shock.
Also READ: Top 5 fastest fifties for India in T20I cricket ft. Hardik Pandya – IND vs SA
Elite Top 5: Fastest fifties against full member teams
- 12 Balls – Yuvraj Singh (India vs England, 2007): The undisputed gold standard of T20 cricket. In the inaugural T20 World Cup in Durban, Yuvraj famously smashed Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over to reach fifty in just 12 balls. This remains the fastest half-century ever recorded by a player from a Full Member nation and is arguably the most iconic moment in the format’s history.
- 13 Balls – Jan Frylinck (Namibia vs Zimbabwe, 2025): A historic moment for Associate cricket, Frylinck stunned Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Promoted to open, he unleashed a barrage of boundaries against Trevor Gwandu and Blessing Muzarabani, reaching the milestone in 13 balls. It stands as the fastest fifty ever scored by an Associate player against a Full Member team.
- 14 Balls – Abhishek Sharma (India vs New Zealand, 2026): In the series-deciding third T20I in Guwahati, Abhishek produced the performance of a lifetime. Reaching fifty in just 14 balls, he equaled the third-fastest mark globally and became the second-fastest Indian to reach the milestone, trailing only Yuvraj’s legendary 2007 effort.
- 14 Balls – Colin Munro (New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 2016): Playing at Eden Park, Munro destroyed the Sri Lankan attack in a chase of 142. He needed only 14 balls to reach his fifty, hitting seven sixes and just one four. It remains the fastest half-century by a New Zealander and held the second-place spot for Full Member nations for a decade.
- 15 Balls – Quinton de Kock (South Africa vs West Indies, 2023): In a record-breaking match at Centurion where South Africa chased down 259, De Kock set the tone with a 15-ball fifty. His clinical opening assault helped the Proteas reach 100 in just 5.3 overs, proving his status as one of the most destructive keepers the game has ever seen.
