IND vs NZ 2026: Abhishek Sharma’s 14-Ball Fifty Puts Him Second on India’s Fastest T20I List

Abhishek Sharma lit up Guwahati with a breathtaking 14-ball fifty in the third T20I against New Zealand, tearing apart a modest 154-run chase with fearless hitting.

The left-hander reached his half-century quicker than any Indian except Yuvraj Singh, whose iconic 12-ball fifty came against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup.

Abhishek finished with five fours and four sixes, leaving New Zealand’s bowlers with no room to recover. India raced through the chase and ended the contest well inside 10 overs.

He added 53 runs for the opening stand with Ishan Kishan, who chipped in with a quick 28 off 13 balls. The pair ensured there was no pressure on India after an early wicket.

With this knock, Abhishek continues to climb India’s elite power-hitting list in T20Is. He now holds the second-fastest fifty by an Indian, underlining his rapid rise at the top level.

The list also features Hardik Pandya, who sits third with a 16-ball fifty against South Africa in 2025. Abhishek himself occupies fourth place thanks to a 17-ball fifty against England at the Wankhede later that same year.

Yuvraj’s record effort from 2007 remains the gold standard. That innings came during the inaugural T20 World Cup and is remembered for his six consecutive sixes off Stuart Broad, a moment that changed India’s white-ball history.

What stands out with Abhishek is how quickly he is making these records his own. In a short span, he has already featured twice among India’s fastest T20I fifties, showing rare confidence and clean striking.

His assault in Guwahati once again showed India’s batting depth and aggressive intent ahead of the T20 World Cup. With Abhishek setting the tone early, India barely broke a sweat while sealing another dominant win.

At just the start of his international journey, Abhishek Sharma is already keeping elite company, and his bat is doing most of the talking.