From Abhishek Sharma to Yuvraj Singh: Top 5 fastest T20I fifties against full-member teams

In a thrilling display of power-hitting at the Barsapara Stadium, Abhishek Sharma etched his name in the record books during the third T20I against New Zealand on January 25, 2026. Chasing a target of 154, the young left-hander made the game a personal highlight from the very beginning.

His attack reached a crescendo in the 6th over against Jacob Duffyas he raced to a 14-ball fifty adorned with five boundaries and four towering sixes. By reaching the milestone in just 14 deliveries, Sharma has officially claimed the second spot on the list of fastest T20I half-century by an Indian. He now sits alone behind the legendary Yuvraj Singhfurther cementing his status as a modern great in the game’s shortest format.

Abhishek Sharma’s devastating innings breaks records in the 3rd T20I against New Zealand

Abhishek’s performance in Guwahati was nothing short of a demolition job as he dismantled the New Zealand bowling attack with surgical precision. After a series of high-scoring matches, Abhishek came into the crease and immediately made his intent known despite losing Sanju Samson for a golden duck at the other end. He had a particular preference for the pace of Matt Henry And Kyle Jamieson, using his trademark bat speed to clear the ropes with ease and reach his half-century in the powerplay final. This 14-ball milestone is not only his personal best but now stands as the fastest ever fifty against New Zealand in T20I history. By the time he was done, he had given India their second-highest powerplay score ever, making the chase of 154 a mere formality and leaving the Kiwis’ bowlers in a state of absolute shock.

Also READ: Top 5 fastest fifties for India in T20I cricket ft. Hardik Pandya – IND vs SA

Elite Top 5: Fastest fifties against full-member teams

• 12 balls – Yuvraj Singh (India vs England, 2007): The undisputed gold standard of T20 cricket. During the first T20 World Cup in Durban, Yuvraj famously scored Stuart Breed from six sixes in an over to reach fifty in just twelve balls. This remains the fastest half-century ever recorded by a player from a Full Member country and is perhaps the most iconic moment in the format’s history.
• 13 Balls – Jan Frylinck (Namibia vs Zimbabwe, 2025): A historic moment for Associate cricket, Frylinck stunned Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Promoted to open, he unleashed a barrage of boundaries Trevor Gwandu And Bless Muzarabaniwith the milestone being reached in 13 balls. It is the fastest fifty ever scored by an Associate player against a Full Member team.
• 14 balls – Abhishek Sharma (India vs New Zealand, 2026): In the series-deciding third T20I in Guwahati, Abhishek produced the performance of his life. He reached fifty in just fourteen balls, equaling the third-fastest score in the world and becoming the second-fastest Indian to reach the milestone, behind only Yuvraj’s legendary 2007 feat.
• 14 balls – Colin Munro (New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 2016): Playing at Eden Park, Munro destroyed the Sri Lankan attack chasing 142. He needed just fourteen balls to reach his fifty, hitting seven sixes and just one four. It remains the fastest half-century by a New Zealander and ranked second for full-member countries for a decade.
• 15 Balls – Quinton de Kock (South Africa vs West Indies, 2023): In a record-breaking match at Centurion, where South Africa chased 259, De Kock set the tone with a 15-ball fifty. His clinical opening strike helped the Proteas reach 100 in just 5.3 overs, proving his status as one of the most destructive goalkeepers the game has ever seen.

READ also: Will Ishan Kishan replace Sanju Samson as opener in T20 World Cup 2026? Ravichandran Ashwin has his say