India’s T20I batting has always been about fearless hitting, and the record book proves it. From Yuvraj Singh’s legendary six-sixes night to Abhishek Sharma’s powerplay carnage, Indian batters have repeatedly smashed the quickest half-centuries in international cricket.
The latest big update came tonight in Guwahati (New Zealand tour of India, 2026), where Abhishek Sharma blasted a 50 in just 14 balls vs New Zealand at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, making it one of India’s fastest ever in T20Is.
Latest Update: Abhishek Sharma’s 14-Ball Fifty vs New Zealand (Guwahati, 2026)
In the 3rd T20I (India vs New Zealand) at Guwahati, Abhishek Sharma produced a power-hitting masterclass. He reached his half-century in 14 balls, one of the fastest by an Indian in T20Is.
What made it even more special:
- India smashed 94/2 in the powerplay, their second-highest powerplay score in T20I history.
- Abhishek’s strike-rate was unreal, crossing 350 during the chase.
- India also completed 100 runs in 6.3 overs, showing total domination in the chase of 154.
This innings now sits right at the top tier of India’s quickest fifties list.
Top 5 Fastest T20I Fifties by Indian Players (All-Time)
Here is the updated list of India’s Top 5 fastest fifties in T20 Internationals (by balls faced):
| Rank | Player | Balls for 50 | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yuvraj Singh | 12 balls | England | Durban | 2007 |
| 2 | Abhishek Sharma | 14 balls | New Zealand | Guwahati | 2026 |
| 3 | Hardik Pandya | 16 balls | South Africa | Ahmedabad | 2025 |
| 4 | Abhishek Sharma | 17 balls | England | Mumbai (Wankhede) | 2025 |
| 5 | KL Rahul | 18 balls | Scotland | Dubai | 2021 |
1) Yuvraj Singh – 12 Balls vs England (2007)
Yuvraj Singh’s 12-ball fifty remains the most iconic fast-fifty by an Indian in T20Is. It came during the 2007 T20 World Cup against England in Durban, where he famously hit six sixes in one over. That innings changed how the world looked at T20 batting.
2) Abhishek Sharma – 14 Balls vs New Zealand (2026)
This is the freshest entry and the biggest headline right now. In Guwahati, Abhishek destroyed New Zealand’s bowling in the powerplay and brought up his fifty in 14 balls, helping India take full control early in the chase.
3) Hardik Pandya – 16 Balls vs South Africa (2025)
Hardik Pandya’s 16-ball fifty against South Africa in 2025 showed his clean hitting at its peak. He attacked from ball one, turned the match quickly, and proved why he is one of India’s most dangerous finishers in T20Is.
4) Abhishek Sharma – 17 Balls vs England (2025)
Before his Guwahati heroics, Abhishek had already made this elite list with a 17-ball fifty vs England at Wankhede in 2025. That innings highlighted his powerplay dominance and fearless approach.
5) KL Rahul – 18 Balls vs Scotland (2021)
KL Rahul’s 18-ball fifty against Scotland in the T20 World Cup 2021 came in a high-pressure situation where India needed to boost net run-rate. Rahul went hard, found boundaries consistently, and India finished the chase in quick time.
These knocks are not just personal milestones. They usually decide matches early, especially when:
And that’s why Abhishek Sharma’s Guwahati fifty is being talked about so much — it came with a massive powerplay and complete control of the chase.
Indian batters have always played fearless T20 cricket, but performances like Abhishek Sharma’s 14-ball fifty in Guwahati show that the new generation is taking power-hitting to another level. Still, Yuvraj Singh’s 12-ball fifty remains the gold standard, with others now chasing that legendary mark.
