On a vibrant Sunday evening at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, cricket fans were treated to a spectacular display of power-hitting as India’s young opener Abhishek Sharma lit up the third T20 International against New Zealand. Sharma, just 25, stormed into the record books by smashing the second-fastest half-century ever by an Indian in T20Is, reaching the milestone in a blistering 14 balls. The feat, achieved on January 25, 2026, not only electrified the crowd but also reignited conversations about India’s explosive batting depth and the legacy of legendary knocks in limited-overs cricket.
Chasing a modest target of 154 runs set by New Zealand, India’s intent was clear from the outset. Sharma’s opening salvo was nothing short of breathtaking. He peppered the boundary with five fours and four sixes during his whirlwind fifty, eclipsing Hardik Pandya’s previous Indian record of a 16-ball T20I half-century. As the crowd roared, memories of Yuvraj Singh’s iconic 12-ball fifty against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup—still the fastest by an Indian—were fresh on everyone’s mind.
“That’s more than impossible for anyone (to break Yuvraj’s fastest T20 fifty record), but still, you never know,” Sharma said candidly after the match, according to Indo-Asian News Service. “Any batsman could do it because I think all the batters have been batting really well in this series as well and going forward, it’s going to be fun.” His humility and optimism resonated with fans and teammates alike, as the left-hander acknowledged both the difficulty of surpassing Yuvraj’s legendary mark and the ever-evolving nature of T20 cricket.
Sharma’s approach to batting, especially in the shortest format, has always been aggressive yet calculated. When pressed about his tendency to attack from the very first ball, he explained, “I wouldn’t say it’s like I want to go from the first ball. It’s just the instinct I get in between the wickets. I think about the bowler—if he wants to get out on my first ball, then what he could bowl to me and that’s always there in my mind and I just want to play on that ball.”
His innovative footwork and field awareness were on full display. “If you see that, that’s all about the field placement because I never step out to the leg-side if I don’t get fielding on… there’s a leg side, because if I get room for myself, then I have the whole ground off-side for me. So, that’s always in my mind. I just want to play with the field,” Sharma elaborated, offering a glimpse into the modern batter’s mindset and adaptability.
The chase itself was a masterclass in controlled aggression. India rocketed to 94 for 2 within the powerplay, thanks almost entirely to Sharma’s fireworks. He remained unbeaten on 68 runs from just 20 balls, registering a jaw-dropping strike rate of 340. His knock included a total of seven fours and five sixes, as reported by the Asian News International (ANI), highlighting both his timing and raw power.
But Sharma wasn’t alone in the onslaught. Suryakumar Yadav, another mainstay of India’s T20 lineup, contributed a rapid-fire 57 off 26 balls. Together, the duo made light work of the 154-run target, steering India to 155 for 2 in just 10 overs and sealing a commanding eight-wicket victory. The win not only underscored India’s dominance in the ongoing series but also clinched the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, with the hosts having won all three games played so far.
On the bowling front, Jasprit Bumrah was the pick for India, claiming three wickets for just 17 runs. New Zealand’s innings, which ended at 153 for 9 in 20 overs, was anchored by Glenn Phillips (48) and Mark Chapman (32). Despite their efforts, the visitors simply couldn’t contain India’s relentless batting, particularly Sharma’s early carnage.
The cricketing fraternity, meanwhile, was quick to react to Sharma’s record-breaking performance. None other than Yuvraj Singh himself, whose 12-ball fifty remains the gold standard, took to Instagram to share a playful message: “Still can’t get a 50 off 12 balls, can you? Well played—keep going strong! @abhisheksharma_4.” The friendly banter between two generations of Indian cricket underscored the spirit of the game and the mutual respect among its stars.
Reflecting on his role in the team, Sharma emphasized the importance of mental strength and the positive environment within the Indian dressing room. “That’s what my team wants from me and I just want to execute all the time. But obviously, it’s not easy to do it every time, but I think it’s all about mental as well and the atmosphere you get around your dressing room as well,” he noted. His words echoed the sentiment that T20 cricket is as much a test of temperament as it is of skill.
Yuvraj Singh’s 2007 blitz, which included six consecutive sixes off Stuart Broad, remains etched in cricketing lore. That record-setting night in Durban not only helped India lift the inaugural T20 World Cup but also set a benchmark for audacious batting. Sharma’s 14-ball fifty may not have eclipsed Yuvraj’s feat, but it certainly added a new chapter to India’s storied history in the format. The fact that Sharma’s innings came in a high-pressure chase further amplifies its significance, especially with the T20 World Cup looming on the horizon.
The win in Guwahati also highlighted the depth and versatility of India’s current T20 squad. With seasoned campaigners like Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah complementing emerging talents such as Abhishek Sharma, India appears well-equipped to tackle the challenges of global tournaments. The team’s ability to chase down daunting targets with apparent ease is a testament to its preparation and self-belief.
As the series continues, all eyes will remain on Sharma and his fellow batters, who have consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in T20 cricket. Sharma’s record-breaking knock not only cements his place as a key figure in India’s T20 setup but also serves as a rallying point for a team brimming with confidence and ambition.
With the T20 World Cup fast approaching, India’s emphatic victory and Sharma’s heroics send a clear message to rivals: this is a team capable of rewriting records and seizing the moment when it matters most. And who knows? While Sharma himself deems breaking Yuvraj’s 12-ball fifty "more than impossible," cricket, as always, has a way of springing surprises.