India’s T20I batting depth and intent touched a new high in Guwahati on Sunday as the men in blue registered their fastest-ever team fifty in the format, racing to 50 in just 3.1 overs against New Zealand. The record-breaking start now sits at the top of India’s quickest team fifties list, ahead of several other explosive efforts over the past five years. The landmark came during a ruthless chase in the third T20I, where India hunted down 154 in only 10 overs to seal an eight-wicket win and take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. At the heart of it was Abhishek Sharma, whose fearless approach summed up India’s new-age T20 mindset.
Abhishek smashed a breathtaking 14-ball fifty, the second-fastest by an Indian in T20Is, and finished unbeaten on 68 off just 20 balls. His assault, combined with Suryakumar Yadav’s fluent 57 not out off 26 deliveries, turned the contest into a one-sided spectacle. Together, they added an unbroken 102 runs for the third wicket in only 40 balls, leaving New Zealand shell-shocked. India’s lightning fifty in 3.1 overs pushed previous benchmarks down the list. The next quickest came in 3.4 overs against Bangladesh in Hangzhou in 2023, followed by a cluster of fifties reached in 3.5 overs against teams like Scotland, Australia, Nepal, Zimbabwe and England across different venues. None, however, matched the ferocity of the Guwahati start. The chase did begin with a brief stumble as Sanju Samson was dismissed for a golden duck, continuing his tough run at the top. But any nerves were quickly settled by Abhishek and Ishan Kishan. Ishan, fresh from a match-winning knock in Raipur, tore into Matt Henry, while Abhishek danced down the track to dismantle Jacob Duffy. India thundered to 94 for 2 in the powerplay, their second-best ever, effectively ending the contest inside six overs. Earlier, India’s bowlers laid the foundation with a disciplined display. Jasprit Bumrah led the charge with three for 17, while Hardik Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi applied constant pressure to restrict New Zealand to 153 for 9. Bishnoi, returning to the XI, impressed with his control and timely breakthroughs. In the end, the night belonged to India’s batting firepower. The fastest team fifty was not just a statistic, but a clear statement of intent as India continue to redefine what is possible in T20 cricket.