Indian cricket witnessed a sensational moment as Ashutosh Sharma, representing Railways, etched his name in the record books by breaking Yuvraj Singh’s record for the fastest fifty by an Indian in T20 cricket. The middle-order batter’s incredible performance left cricket enthusiasts in awe during a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Group C clash against Arunachal Pradesh.
Yuvraj Singh‘s record of the fastest fifty by an Indian had stood unbroken for 16 years, with his remarkable achievement dating back to the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. During that iconic innings, Yuvraj had scored a fifty off 12 balls against England. However, Ashutosh Sharma’s explosive batting display rewrote history, achieving a fifty in just 11 balls.
A Blistering Onslaught
Ashutosh Sharma entered the crease when Railways were at 131 for 4, with a mere five overs left in the match. What followed was a breathtaking display of power hitting. Ashutosh hammered 53 runs off just 12 deliveries, a knock studded with eight sixes and a solitary four.
His remarkable fifty saw as many as four sixes soaring over the covers and long-off region, while two more cleared the long-on boundary, and two found their way behind square on the leg side. Ashutosh’s striking strike rate was an astonishing 441.66. His record-breaking innings helped Railways amass a staggering 115 runs in the last five overs, propelling them to a formidable total of 246 for 5.
Ashutosh Sharma, aged 25, was playing only his second T20 match for Railways and his 10th T20 game overall. His T20 debut was with Madhya Pradesh back in 2018, and his most recent T20 appearance was in 2019. While he has featured in just one 50-over game, also for Madhya Pradesh in 2019, Ashutosh is yet to make his first-class debut.
An Iconic Record Broken
Before Ashutosh’s feat, Yuvraj Singh held the record for the fastest fifty in T20 cricket for both India and internationally. However, that record was recently broken by Dipendra Singh Airee from Nepal last month during the Asian Games in Hangzhou. Yuvraj Singh’s unforgettable innings in Durban in 2007 is also celebrated for his remarkable achievement of hitting six sixes in a single over off Stuart Broad.
Ashutosh Sharma’s blazing innings has not only left an indelible mark on Indian cricket history but also reignited the excitement surrounding the T20 format. His extraordinary performance is a testament to the ever-evolving dynamism of the sport.
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