Top five fastest fifties (50) by Indian batters in T20I cricket

The Indian cricket team is widely regarded as the most accomplished team in T20I cricket. They have secured two men's ICC T20 World Cups, a record matched only by England and the West Indies. Furthermore, the Men In Blue have achieved the highest number of victories in men's T20Is, boasting a win/loss ratio of 2.246, which is the highest among teams that have participated in at least 100 matches.

The remarkable achievements of the Indian cricket team can be largely attributed to their formidable batting lineup, which features some of the most exceptional T20I batters in history.

Since India's first T20I match in 2006, the team has showcased exceptional and globally dominant batsmen. Notably, five of these players have achieved the remarkable feat of scoring a half-century in fewer than 20 balls in T20I cricket.

In this article, let’s look at the five Indian batters who have hit the fastest T20I fifties.

5. Rohit Sharma – 19 balls vs Australia, 2024

Rohit Sharma, the former captain of India, delivered one of his finest and most important T20I performances during the Super Eight match against Australia in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Batting first in Gros Islet, Rohit reached his half-century in just 19 balls. He concluded his innings with a remarkable score of 92 runs from 41 deliveries, establishing a strong foundation for India's total of 205, which they successfully defended by a margin of 24 runs. During his innings, Rohit struck seven fours and eight sixes. This victory secured India's place in the semi-finals.

4. Gautam Gambhir – 19 balls vs Sri Lanka, 2009

In the 2009 T20I match held in Nagpur between India and Sri Lanka, opener Gautam Gambhir delivered an explosive performance, scoring 55 runs from just 26 balls, achieving his half-century in a mere 19 deliveries. This remarkable innings came as India pursued a challenging target of 216 runs.

Although Gambhir helped India to a rapid start, other batters failed to use that platform and India lost the match by 29 runs.

3. Suryakumar Yadav – 18 balls vs South Africa, 2022

One of the greatest T20 batsmen of all time, Suryakumar Yadav produced a jaw-dropping innings against South Africa in Guwahati in 2022.

India, batting first, received an impressive opening from KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli. A late surge was provided by Suryakumar, who scored 61 runs off just 22 deliveries, including five fours and five sixes. Notably, he reached his half-century in a mere 18 balls. India concluded their innings with a total of 237 runs and secured victory by 16 runs.

2. KL Rahul – 18 balls vs Scotland, 2021

KL Rahul gets on this list with a remarkable 18-ball fifty, achieved against Scotland in Dubai during the 2021 T20 World Cup.

India dismissed Scotland for a mere 85 runs, and in an effort to enhance their net run rate, the Men In Blue launched an aggressive batting display. Rahul struck six fours and three sixes during his innings, leading India to victory in just 6.3 overs.

1. Yuvraj Singh – 12 balls vs England, 2007

Yuvraj Singh holds the record for the fastest fifty in T20I cricket by an Indian batter and by a batter from a Full Member nation. He accomplished this historic feat against England during the 2007 T20 World Cup.

Yuvraj came in to bat in the 17th over and tore into the English bowlers straightaway. In the 19th over of the innings, he became the first batsman to hit six sixes in a T20I of Stuart Broad’s bowling and reached his half-century in only 12 balls. He finished with 58 (16) to take India to 218. Later, India won the match by 18 runs.

Yuvraj’s all-time record in T20I cricket of the fastest fifty was broken by Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee during the 2023 Asian Games in China against Mongolia.

Cover Credits - BCCI Official