In a tremendous display of power-hitting at the Barsapara Stadium, Abhishek Sharma Wrote his name in 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.
Their attack reached its peak in the sixth over. jacob duffyHe completed his half-century in 14 balls with the help of five fours and four skyscraper sixes. Reaching the milestone in just 14 balls, Sharma has officially secured the second position in the list of fastest T20I half-centuries by an Indian. He now sits only behind the giants Yuvraj SinghWhich further cemented his status as the greatest player of modern times in the shortest format of the game.
Abhishek Sharma’s destructive innings broke records in the third T20 match against 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. After a series of high-scoring games, Abhishek entered the crease and immediately signaled his intentions despite losing Sanju Samson for a golden duck at the other end. he especially liked its speed matt henry And kyle jamison, Cleared the ropes with ease using his signature bat speed and brought up his half-century in the final over of the powerplay. This milestone of 14 balls is not only his personal best but is now the fastest fifty ever against New Zealand in T20I history. By the time he was done, he had provided India with their second-highest powerplay score, ensuring that the chase of 154 was a mere formality and putting the Kiwi bowlers in a state of complete shock.
Also read: Top 5 fastest fifties for India in T20I cricket. 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. Yuvraj created a ruckus in the inaugural match of the T-20 World Cup in Durban. stuart broad Six sixes in one over to reach fifty in just 12 balls. This is the fastest fifty ever recorded by a player from a Full Member country and possibly the most iconic moment in the history of the format.
- 13 Balls – Jan Frylink (Namibia vs Zimbabwe, 2025): A historic moment for associate cricket, Frylink stuns Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Moving to the opening, he hit a volley of boundaries against trevor guandu And blessings to muzarabaniReached the milestone in 13 balls. This is the fastest half-century 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 figure globally and became the second-fastest Indian to reach the milestone, surpassing Yuvraj’s great 2007 effort.
- 14 balls- Colin Munro (New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 2016): Playing at Eden Park, Munro destroyed the Sri Lankan attack while chasing the target of 142. He needed only 14 balls to complete his half-century, hitting seven sixes and just one four. This is the fastest half-century scored by a New Zealand player and stood second among 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 259, De Kock laid the foundation of the match by scoring a half-century in 15 balls. His clinical opening attack 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.