Abhishek Sharma mirrors Yuvraj Singh's heroics to slam 2nd fastest 50 for India in T20Is

Abhishek Sharma scores the second-fastest fifty by an Indian in T20Is [Source: @49_all_out/x.com]

Abhishek Sharma took the aerial route during the 3rd T20I between India and New Zealand. While chasing the target of 154 in Guwahati, Abhishek slammed a masterful fifty, and it took him just 14 balls to reach there. His impressive striking of the ball has brought him very close to his mentor Yuvraj Singh’s record.

He now has the record for the second-fastest fifty by an Indian in T20 internationals. Abhishek Sharma is only behind his mentor and former Indian megastar Yuvraj Singh, who has the record for the fastest fifty by an Indian, and it took him just 12 balls to get there. He had achieved this feat during his historic knock against England in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007.

Abhishek closes gap with Yuvraj Singh

The left-handed batter overtook Hardik Pandya on the list, who scored his fastest fifty in 16 balls against South Africa in 2025. Abhishek Sharma also holds the record for the fourth fastest fifty (17 balls), which he scored against England in 2025. KL Rahul is another player on the list with 18 balls taken to reach the landmark figure against Scotland in 2021.

List of fastest fifties by Indians in T20Is

12 balls – Yuvraj Singh vs England, Durban, 2007

14 balls – Abhishek Sharma vs New Zealand, Guwahati, 2026

16 balls - Hardik Pandya vs South Africa, Ahmedabad, 2025

17 balls - Abhishek Sharma vs England, Mumbai (Wankhede), 2025

18 balls – KL Rahul vs Scotland, Dubai (DSC), 2021

Abhishek Sharma’s flier helps India chase the target with ease

Abhishek has been in exceptional form, and that continued in the 3rd game against New Zealand as well. His blinder knock propelled India to a comprehensive 8-wicket victory and also sealed the five-match series 3-0.

He would now look to continue that in the remaining games as India looks to prepare for the T20 World Cup title defence at home. Abhishek Sharma will surely be the key to India’s success in the tournament.

Even though India did not get the start they would have liked in the chase, there was no stopping Abhishek Sharma, who wanted to finish off the game as soon as possible. Along with skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who scored his second-consecutive fifty, he completed the 154-run chase in just 10 overs. 

Indian bowlers set the perfect tone for the game 

Earlier in the game, the Indian bowlers did a fantastic job at keeping New Zealand at bay. Harshit Rana, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah got the early breakthroughs, which put the Black Caps on the backfoot right from the start. The Kiwis could just manage 36 runs in the powerplay and lost three wickets. 

India continued to dominate the game, with Bumrah and Ravi Bishnoi not letting any batters settle in and build a partnership. Glenn Phillips’ 40-ball 48 was the only saving grace for the visitors. For India, Bumrah was the star bowler, picking up three wickets in the game, while Pandya and Bishnoi took two wickets each. Harshit Rana also took a solitary wicket in the game.