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NEW DELHI: Abhishek Sharma is turning out to be a carnage in T20I cricket, and the same was seen once again in the third T20I against New Zealand.

The left-hander came out all guns blazing as he steered through the Kiwi bowling lineup, bringing up the second fastest half-century by an Indian batter in just 14 deliveries.

His innings included 51 runs off just 5 fours and 4 sixes, with a mammoth strike rate of 350.

Fastest T20I half-centuries by Indian batsmen

Abhishek Sharma’s 14-ball fifty now ranks among the fastest in India’s history. Here’s the list of the top fastest T20I half-centuries by Indian batters:

Fastest T20I Half-Centuries by Indian Batters

• Yuvraj Singh – 12 balls vs England, Durban
• Abhishek Sharma – 14 balls vs New Zealand, Guwahati
• Hardik Pandya – 16 balls vs South Africa, Ahmedabad
• KL Rahul – 18 balls vs Scotland, Dubai

Meanwhile, India lost Sanju Samson on the first ball, but Abhishek, along with Ishan Kishan, formed a devastating partnership.

The duo hammered the bowling for a 53-run stand in just 19 deliveries. Kishan scored 28 off 13 balls before getting out, and by then the game was already slipping away from the visitors.

Record Powerplay Performance

Abhishek’s assault also helped India achieve their second highest powerplay score in history, taking the team off to a flying start. Here are the highest powerplay totals for India in T20Is:

• 95/1 vs England – Wankhede 2025
• 94/2 vs New Zealand – Guwahati 2026 *
• 82/2 vs Scotland – Dubai 2021
• 82/1 vs Bangladesh – Hyderabad 2024
• 78/2 vs South Africa – Joburg 2018