T20 is mostly a batters’ game, owing to the serious hitting streaks we witness every season. Striking the best bowlers for repeated fours and sixes without breaking a sweat has become quite the normal feat. Also, the boundaries are what the fans enjoy the most.
However, with every game comes a risk factor. When a batter is going for a six on every other ball, he exposes himself to the chance of a quick wicket. This is why only a few of them have been able to convert their scores to half-centuries and centuries at an astounding strike rate.
Today, let’s go through the names of top batters who have made the list for the fastest 50 in IPL seasons.
Top 10 Fastest 50 in IPL History
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders (13 balls), IPL 2023
Yashasvi Jaiswal tops the charts with the fastest 50 in IPL history, taking just 13 deliveries to reach that landmark. This superb innings came in a game against the Kolkata Knight Riders. A sluggish wicket was turned into a belter by his dominance that revived RR’s campaign this year.
It all started with what many called a bad decision. KKR skipper Nitish Rana surprisingly decided to bowl the first over of the innings himself. With the pitch offering no help to spinners, Jaiswal hit him for 4 consecutive boundaries through mid-off and another one towards point.
Jaiswal then went after other bowlers and his half-century came within the first 3 overs bowled by the opposition. An inning like that will be remembered for a long time.
While the youngster fell short of three figures, his aggression set the stage for RR’s nine-wicket victory chasing a small target of 150. Jaiswal’s superb form in the IPL 2023 also was responsible for his selection in the Indian Cricket team soon after.
2. Pat Cummins, KKR vs Mumbai Indians (14 balls), IPL 2022
This celebrity cricketer held the record for the fastest 50 before Yashasvi Jaiswal. The Australian paceman back then was not even looked at as an all-rounder. However, he cleared all the doubts by scoring a half-century in just 14 balls.
Pat Cummins made an unbeaten record of 56 runs off just 15 balls, which consisted of four-fours and six-maximums. The biggest highlight of the game was when he hit Daniel Sams for 35 runs in his over. This also ensured KKR’s victory with an over to spare in style.
Chasing a tricky 162, KKR looked down and out until Cummins came in at number six. First, Mumbai Indians bowling sensation Bumrah was deposited into the stands twice before being replaced from the attack by Daniel Sams.
The latter did not fare any better as Cummins meant business that day.
Related Read: Who is the Baap of IPL?
3. KL Rahul, Delhi Daredevils vs Kings XI Punjab (14 balls), IPL 2018
One of the fastest fifties in the IPL was scored by KL Rahul on his debut for Kings XI Punjab during Match no-12 of IPL 2018 against the Delhi Daredevils(now Delhi Capitals).
The consistent attack by KL raced him towards a super-fast fifty. He had hit 24 runs in a single over from Amit Mishra to surpass the previous best by one ball. Thus, this was just a continuation of him doing an amazing job for his team.
4. Sunil Narine, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (15 balls), IPL 2017
When you think about the most odd decisions that worked out well, think about KKR promoting Sunil Narine as an opener.
Narine became the unexpected opener in place of an injured Chris Lynn for the Kolkata Knight Riders. This was quite surprising for everyone as Narine was never known for his batting ability.
His quick starts proved his ability and chasing 159 in Bengaluru, he even outclassed Lynn. He blasted Samuel Badree all over the park with three consecutive sixes.
The West Indian then went after S Aravind. By lofting another six off Aravind’s bowling, Narine made his half-century in just 15 balls. The West Indian continues being an opener for the KKR even now as seen in IPL 2024.
5. Yusuf Pathan KKR v SRH, (15 balls), IPL 2014
During an IPL 2014 match, Yusuf Pathan delivered one of the most sensational T20 innings ever witnessed.
Only taking 22 deliveries, Pathan batted his way towards a remarkable 72 runs. This included him reaching his fifty in just 15 of them! This explosive batting performance by the Indian all-rounder helped KKR chase down that target within only 14 overs.
This was necessary for them to be in the playoff race. The margin of the victory increased their net run rate significantly.
6. Nicholas Pooran, Lucknow SuperGiants vs RCB (15 balls), IPL 2023
Nicholas Pooran’s destructive knock made it possible for Lucknow Super Giants to win their last-ball match against Royal Challengers Bangalore
The LSG needed at least one big knock with a good strike rate after RCB invited them for a big chase of 214. The wicket of Marcus Stoinis saw Nicholas Pooran coming in to bat at number six.
The left-hander showed his class, scoring a very quick half-century which came off only 19 balls. It consisted of four boundaries and seven sixes, coming at an astonishing strike rate of 326.32.
Thanks to the contributions from Pooran and Stoinis, who scored 65 off 30 balls LSG came back to the game pretty quickly. Finally, on the last ball, LSG won this cracker of a game.
7. Suresh Raina, CSK vs Kings XI Punjab, (16 balls) 2nd Qualifier, IPL 2014
In the IPL 2014 qualifiers, Suresh Raina’s innings almost won a game for his team. This inning sure stands out as one of the best non-century performances in the IPL.
CSK had to chase down a mammoth target of 227. His fiery hitting helped them achieve a record of hitting a hundred runs in powerplay itself. Well, KXIP’s bowling was all over the place, after such an onslaught too early.
Mr. IPL went on to score 50 from just 16 balls faced. Overall, he hammered twelve boundaries in addition to six-sixes.
However, he lost his wicket through an unfortunate run out in the seventh over, ending any chances that CSK had in the game. Raina also missed out on what could have been a well-deserved century that day.
8. Abhishek Sharma, Sunrisers Hyderabad vs MI (16 balls), IPL 2024
The latest addition to this is none other than Abhishek Sharma. He went through Hardik Pandya’s bowling like a hot knife through butter and scored an explosive masterclass of 25-ball 63.
This included him batting superbly against the Mumbai Indians with three boundaries and seven maximums. Not only did he register himself as an SRH batter who scored the fastest half-century but also announced himself as a future star player of players.
Also Read: How Many Overseas Players Can Play in IPL?
9. Ishan Kishan, Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (16 balls), IPL 2022
Ishan Kishan emerged as the highest bidder at the mega auction held in IPL for the year 2022. Nevertheless, the southpaw lost no time to show off his prowess to everyone. In Abu Dhabi, he opened the batting against the Sunrisers Hyderabad and made a rapid 50 off only 16 balls to give his team a flying start.
Kishan’s score of 84 runs out of 32 balls included 11 fours and four maximums. However, Mumbai Indians could not make it to the playoffs due to a low net run rate.
However, Kishan won many hearts with his innings which were filled with amazing power shots.
10. Chris Gayle (17 balls) Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rising Pune SuperGiants, IPL 2013
This innings by the Universe Boss Chris Gayle can simply be considered legendary. He scored 50 off 17 balls alone.
Gayle then went on to hammer the fastest T20 100 ever seen which came in deliveries. But wait; there are other records that he broke on that day.
The West Indian star also set another record at this format scoring the highest ever – a mind-boggling 175 from 66 balls. In fact, his second half-century arrived faster than his first because he took just thirteen more balls to reach three figures.
It will forever remain in every IPL fan’s memory these innings by Gayle, who is undoubtedly the greatest T20 player to ever grace this sport.
Conclusion
This was our list of the fastest fifties scored in the IPL to date. However, with the aggressive mindset that the batters today play with, it will not be long before even these records get broken! Who do you think is next?
Star it if you find it helpful.
