Abhishek Sharma broke Yuvraj Singh’s record for the fastest half-century in Twenty20 International cricket with the support of Ravichandran Ashwin. On Sunday, January 25, at the Barabati Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, the 25-year-old Indian opener just missed shattering the mark in the third Twenty20 International against New Zealand.
He made a bit of history when he struck a 12-ball half-century against England at Kingsmead in Durban during the 2007 T20 World Cup. This remains the quickest fifty in T20I cricket. Abhishek brought up his half-century on Sunday off just 14 balls which is no mean feat.
After the match, Abhishek said that it was “probably not possible to break Yuvraj’s record.” The kid was being humble, according to Ashwin, but he has the scope to better that achievement a fair bit.
“Our friend Abhishek Sharma made a statement. He said it will be very difficult to beat Yuvraj Paji’s 50 off 12 balls. I am saying, Abhishek, please do not be so humble. In India, people like it when you speak humbly, I agree. But do not be that humble. I am telling you, Abhishek won’t say it himself, but whoever beats Yuvraj Paji’s record in the near future, it will be Abhishek Sharma,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
He is God’s own child: Ravichandran Ashwin on Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek received a lot of appreciation from Ravichandran Ashwin for his ability to follow his gut and maintain his aggressive style even when wickets were falling from the opposite end. The former India spinner added that because of Abhishek’s incredible bat swing and power game, even misplaced shots are hitting for sixes.
“Abhishek Sharma is batting at an incredible level in the powerplay, making 50 in just 14 balls. The way he is batting, even if wickets are falling, he is hitting long sixes. Yesterday in Guwahati, he smashed a straight six, and after hitting it, he was looking at his bat. I mean, he was looking straight at the bottom of the bat. That shows the ball hit the bottom of the bat, but it still went for a six. The bat swing, the way he is batting, it is just amazing. I mean, this guy is God’s own child. I am telling you, what compliment can I even give him? The way he is batting is unbelievable.”
Ravichandran Ashwin
