Abhishek Sharma's explosive innings in the third T20I against New Zealand not only powered India to a commanding victory but also triggered a witty reaction from former India star Yuvraj Singh, whose long-standing record narrowly survived the onslaught.
The left-handed opener reached his half-century in just 14 balls at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday, making it the second-fastest fifty by an Indian in T20 internationals. Abhishek came agonisingly close to eclipsing Yuvraj Singh's iconic 12-ball half-century against England during the 2007 T20 World Cup in Durban - a benchmark that still stands as the fastest by an Indian batter in the format.
Soon after Abhishek's innings, Yuvraj took to social media platform X with a playful
yet appreciative message for the young batter. "Still can't get a 50 off 12 balls, can you? Well played - keep going strong! @OfficialAbhi04 #IndVSNz," he wrote, perfectly capturing the blend of humour and admiration for the rising star.
Still can’t get a 50 off 12 balls, can you? 🤪 Well played - keep going strong! 💪🏻 @OfficialAbhi04 #IndVSNz pic.twitter.com/6MQe1p6sx4
- Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) January 25, 2026
While Yuvraj's record remains intact, the global mark for the fastest T20I fifty belongs to Nepal's Dipendra Singh Airee, who stunned the cricketing world by reaching the milestone in just nine balls during the Asian Games clash against Mongolia in Hangzhou in 2023.
Abhishek's innings in Guwahati was nothing short of sensational. He announced his intent immediately by launching Jacob Duffy for a six off the first ball he faced. The 25-year-old went on to smash an unbeaten 68 from just 20 deliveries, striking seven fours and five sixes at a staggering strike rate of 340.
His breathtaking knock laid the foundation for India's rapid chase of 154 runs, which the hosts completed in just 10 overs to register an emphatic eight-wicket win. The performance highlighted Abhishek's growing stature as one of India's most destructive batters in the shortest format.
Beyond the numbers, the moment symbolised a generational bridge in Indian cricket - a legendary record-holder applauding a new-age aggressor. With performances like this, Abhishek Sharma is steadily carving out his place in India's T20 setup, and Yuvraj Singh's light-hearted tribute only added to the significance of a memorable night in Guwahati.
