In the third T20 match between India and New Zealand, the Indian team delivered a performance that rewrote the record books.
In the match played in Guwahati, Team India scored its fastest team fifty in T20 International cricket. India created history by reaching 50 runs in just 3.1 overs.
Fifty in 3.1 overs, India’s new T20 record
This record was set during the third T20 match, when India chased down a target of 154 runs in just 10 overs. With this victory, India took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
The biggest reason for this explosive run chase was Abhishek Sharma, whose fearless approach clearly reflects India’s new T20 mindset.
Abhishek Sharma completed his half-century in just 14 balls, which is the second fastest T20I fifty by any Indian batsman. He scored an unbeaten 68 runs off 20 balls.
He was ably supported by Suryakumar Yadav, who also played a brilliant innings, scoring an unbeaten 57 runs off 26 balls. Together, they added 102 runs for the third wicket in just 40 balls, making the match completely one-sided.
India’s 3.1-over fifty record is even faster than the fifty scored against Bangladesh in 3.4 overs in 2023.
Previously, fifties had been scored in 3.5 overs against Scotland, Australia, Nepal, Zimbabwe, and England, but the storm in Guwahati was something else entirely.
The innings started with a slight hiccup when Sanju Samson was dismissed without scoring. But after that, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan took charge.
Ishan Kishan attacked Matt Henry, while Abhishek took on Jacob Duffy. India scored 94 runs in the powerplay, which is their second-best powerplay score.
Bowlers laid the foundation for the win
Earlier, the Indian bowlers also did a fantastic job. Jasprit Bumrah took 3 wickets for just 17 runs. Hardik Pandya and Ravi Bishnoi maintained consistent pressure.
Bishnoi, making a comeback to the team, impressed with his tight bowling and crucial wickets, restricting New Zealand to 153/9.
The match ultimately belonged to India’s batting prowess. The fastest team fifty was not just a statistic, but a clear indication that India is setting its own benchmarks in T20 cricket.
