Abhishek Sharma Breaks Multiple Records With T20 World Cup Final Masterclass

Abhishek Sharma shatters multiple records [Source: AFP]

Abhishek Sharma has done what Virat Kohli did against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. The Indian left-handed batter was going through a rough patch, just like Kohli, and he roared back in the finals with a scintillating 18-ball fifty to silence his critics at the grandest stage of them all.

The opener was under pressure heading into the T20 World Cup finals against New Zealand, and experts wanted him out of the playing XI. However, this is where the best in the business shine as Abhishek took down the Kiwi attack with ease, and targeted Jacob Duffy to set the groove for the night.

He smashed an 18-ball fifty, laced with 6 fours and 3 sixes as the batter became the player with the fastest fifty in a T20 World Cup knockout match (quarters, semis, and finals included).

Fastest 50s in T20 WC Knockouts (By Balls):

18 - Abhishek Sharma (India) vs New Zealand, Ahmedabad, 2026 (Final), Tonight*
19 - Finn Allen (New Zealand) vs South Africa, Kolkata, 2026 (SF)
19 - Jacob Bethell (England) vs India, Mumbai (Wankhede), 2026 (SF)
20 - Yuvraj Singh vs Australia, Durban, 2007 (SF)

Fastest 50s in T20 WC 2026 (By Balls):

18 – Abhishek Sharma (India) vs New Zealand, Ahmedabad, Tonight*
19 – Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka) vs Oman, Pallekele
19 – Aiden Markram (South Africa) vs New Zealand, Ahmedabad
19 – Shimron Hetmyer (West Indies) vs Zimbabwe, Mumbai (Wankhede)
19 – Finn Allen (New Zealand) vs South Africa, Kolkata
19 – Jacob Bethell (England) vs India, Mumbai (Wankhede)

Fastest 50s for India in T20 WCs (By Balls):

12 – Yuvraj Singh vs England, Durban, 2007
18 – KL Rahul vs Scotland, Dubai, 2021
18 – Abhishek Sharma vs New Zealand, Ahmedabad, 2026, tonight*
19 – Rohit Sharma vs Australia, Gros Islet, 2024

Abhishek repeats Kohli's heroics in T20 World Cup final

In the 2024 T20 World Cup edition, Virat Kohli opened the innings alongside Rohit Sharma, and the opener struggled for runs as he was dismissed cheaply in almost every innings barring the final.

Kohli scored 76 off 59 balls as on a tricky wicket, India reached a respectable total, and the Men in Blue won the game. Abhishek, too, had a. similar journey in this World Cup.

He was dismissed for ducks in his first three matches, and barring the Zimbabwe match, he had looked out of touch. However, things changed in the finale as Abhishek broke the shackles and smashed 52 off 21 balls to help India lay a strong foundation.

Abhishek-Samson tore apart the Kiwi attack

The new opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson has turned out to be a revelation for the Indian team. While Abhishek has struggled a bit, Samson has been outstanding. However, in the finals, both openers fired all guns blazing as they added 98 runs inside 7 overs before the lefty-batter got out.

Here are some of the record broken by the duo.