Indian batters with fastest half-centuries in T20 World Cup history
What's the story
Abhishek Sharma has shattered records by scoring the fastest-ever fifty in a T20 World Cup knock-out match. The left-handed batsman achieved this feat during India's final against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. He scored his half-century off just 18 balls, breaking Finn Allen's previous record of 19 balls. On this note, we look at the Indians with the fastest fifties in T20 WC history.
Rohit
Rohit Sharma - 19 balls vs Australia, 2024
Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma hammered a 19-ball fifty against Australia in the 2024 edition. The opener bashed the Australian bowlers in Gros Islet as he completed his fifty in the sixth over. The swashbuckler went on to smash a 41-ball 92 as he smoked seven boundaries and eight sixes. His efforts meant India finished at 205/5 and later won by 24 runs.
Abhishek
Abhishek Sharma - 18 balls vs New Zealand, 2026
Abhishek's 18-ball half-century in the aforementioned game marked the joint-second-fastest T20 WC fifty by an Indian. The southpaw had a rough run in the tournament but bounced back with a stellar performance in the final. He ended up scoring 52 runs off just 21 balls, helping India post a massive total of 255/5 and win by 96 runs. His knock had six fours and three sixes.
Rahul
KL Rahul - 18 balls vs Scotland, 2021
KL Rahul shares the second spot on this list with Abhishek. While opening the batting, he scored an 18-ball fifty against Scotland in the 2021 T20 WC match in Dubai. Rahul, who completed his fifty in the sixth over, was dismissed right after getting the milestone (50 off 19). The dasher smashed six fours and three sixes that day. However, his efforts meant India (89/2) accomplished the 86-run target in just 6.3 overs.
Yuvraj
Yuvraj Singh - 12 balls vs England, 2007
Former Indian ace Yuvraj Singh put on a historic show in the 2007 affair against England. The southpaw accomplished this feat off just 12 balls in Durban - the fastest T20I fifty against a full-member team to date. Enraged after a war of words from Andrew Flintoff, Yuvraj went on to smash six sixes in an over off Stuart Broad. He ended up scoring 58 runs off 16 balls (7 sixes, 3 fours) as India posted a match-winning 218/4.