Abhishek Sharma Joins Yuvraj in Elite List With Monumental Knock, Seals India’s 8-Wicket Victory in Record Time

Abhishek Sharma delivered a breathtaking display of power-hitting to etch his name into India's T20I record books on Sunday, producing one of the fastest half-centuries ever by an Indian batter.

The left-hander reached the milestone in just 14 deliveries during the second T20I against New Zealand in Guwahati, underlining his growing stature at the top of the batting order.

In a chase of 155, Abhishek set the tone from the very first ball, launching Jacob Duffy for a towering six to announce his intent. He maintained relentless momentum throughout the powerplay, dismantling the New Zealand bowling attack with fearless strokeplay. The landmark moment arrived at the end of the sixth over when he cleared the ropes once again off Duffy, completing his half-century in record-breaking fashion.

Only Yuvraj Singh, who smashed a 12-ball fifty against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup, has reached the milestone faster for India. Hardik Pandya's 16-ball half-century against South Africa in 2025 now stands behind Abhishek's effort. On the global stage, Nepal's Dipendra Singh Airee still holds the outright record with a nine-ball fifty.

Abhishek remained unbeaten on 68 off just 20 deliveries, striking at a staggering rate of 340. His innings featured a barrage of boundaries, including seven fours and five sixes, showcasing both elegance and brute force. He found able support from captain Suryakumar Yadav, who contributed a fluent 57 off 26 balls, ensuring there were no hiccups in the chase.

India eventually overhauled the target in just 10 overs, sealing a commanding eight-wicket victory and sending a strong message in the series. Abhishek's explosive knock not only accelerated India's chase but also reaffirmed his status as one of the most destructive batters in modern T20 cricket.