In an explosive display of power-hitting at the Narendra Modi Stadium, hardik pandya Has registered his name in the record books during the fifth T20 match against South Africa On 19 December 2025.
Hardik Pandya’s destructive innings broke records in the fifth T20 match against South Africa.
Coming into the field at number five, Pandya wasted no time and signaled his intentions by sending his very first ball to long-off. their attack reached its peak George Linde And Corbin BoschHe completed his half-century in 16 balls with the help of four fours and five skyscraper sixes. This explosive innings was instrumental in taking India to a huge score in the series decider, proving once again why he is considered one of the most dangerous finishers in world cricket. By reaching this milestone in just 16 balls, Pandya 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.
Top 5 fastest T20I fifties for India
There has been a reshuffle in the hierarchy of India’s fastest T20I run-scorer after Pandya’s Ahmedabad heroics. Here are the details of the top five fastest half-centuries in Indian history:
5. Suryakumar Yadav (18 balls)
Current Indian captain and 360-degree specialist Suryakumar Yadav is in fifth place with his explosive innings in 18 balls. Known for his unorthodox wrist-work and ability to find the gaps in the fine-leg and third-man areas, Surya’s half-century in 18 balls (achieved against South Africa in 2022) remains a masterclass in modern T20 innovation.
4. KL Rahul (18 balls)
Matching Surya’s timing is KL Rahul, who also registered a half-century in 18 balls during the 2021 T20 World Cup against Scotland. Rahul’s innings was a display of pure technical elegance at full strength, as he helped India chase down a small target in record time to increase the net run rate.
3. Abhishek Sharma (17 balls)
Young left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma is at the third position with a half-century in 17 balls against England at the Wankhede Stadium on February 2, 2025. Abhishek’s innings featured an incredible attack on bowlers like Joffra Archer and Mark Wood, where he scored 58 runs within the powerplay.
2. Hardik Pandya (16 balls)
Hardik Pandya moved to the second position today, December 19, 2025, as he demolished the South African attack in 16 balls. His innings were characterized by immense physical strength and a clear tactical focus on hitting the cow-corner and long-on boundaries. After reaching his half-century by hitting a six off Corbin Bosch, he now holds the record for the fastest half-century by an Indian on home soil.
1. Yuvraj Singh (12 balls)
The undisputed king of this list remains Yuvraj Singh, whose half-century in 12 balls against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup is arguably the most iconic moment in the history of the format. This was the same innings in which he hit six sixes in one over of Stuart Broad. Nearly two decades later, Yuvraj’s world-record attempt remains untouched by any Indian batsman.
