In a stunning display of power-hitting, Abhishek Sharma carved his name into the record books during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Sunday, leading Punjab to a massive total against Bengal. Sharma’s breathtaking innings of 148 runs came off just 52 balls, featuring 16 towering sixes, and included a half-century in only 12 deliveries—matching the iconic feat of India’s T20 legend Yuvraj Singh. Punjab posted a commanding 310 runs for five wickets in their 20 overs at the Hyderabad venue.
Lightning-Fast Fifty and Century
Abhishek Sharma opened the innings in style, scoring a blistering fifty in just 12 balls, a remarkable strike rate of 425.00. He launched five fours and five sixes in that explosive start. Not stopping there, Sharma continued his assault, hitting seven more fours and eleven sixes to reach his century in 32 balls. His innings eventually concluded at 148 runs from 52 balls, punctuated with eight fours and 16 sixes, leaving fans and critics in awe.
This achievement now ranks as the third-fastest fifty in men’s Under-20 cricket and the second-fastest by an Indian player, further cementing Abhishek Sharma’s reputation as one of the country’s brightest young batting talents.
Record-Breaking Partnerships
Sharma’s innings was anchored by a solid 205-run partnership with Prabhsimran Singh. Singh contributed a valuable 70 runs, providing the perfect support as Punjab accelerated past the 300-run mark. Additional contributions came from Rammdeep Singh, who scored 39 runs off 15 balls, hitting four sixes and two fours, and Sanvir Singh, who added 22 runs from just 8 balls with two fours and two sixes.
The partnership between Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh showcased a remarkable balance of aggression and control, allowing Punjab to reach a mammoth total while losing just five wickets in 20 overs.
Context in T20 Records
Globally, the fastest T20 fifty in men’s cricket is held by Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee, who scored a fifty in 9 balls against Mongolia during the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. India’s Ashutosh Sharma previously achieved a 50 in 11 balls for Railways against Arunachal Pradesh in the 2023-24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, putting Abhishek Sharma’s achievement into perspective as one of the fastest in Indian domestic cricket.
By scoring a fifty in 12 balls, Abhishek Sharma officially joins the elite “12-ball fifty” club, a group that includes the legendary Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj first achieved this feat during the 2007 T20 World Cup when he hit six sixes in an over off Stuart Broad and reached a fifty in 12 balls. Sharma, however, has accomplished this feat in a domestic tournament, making him only the fifth batter worldwide to reach a half-century in 12 balls, following the likes of Chris Gayle, who achieved it in the BBL for Melbourne Renegades in January 2016.
Punjab vs Bengal Match Overview
Punjab’s top order dominated the proceedings from the start, setting an aggressive tone. Abhishek Sharma, leading as captain, proved why he is considered one of India’s most promising young cricketers. Prabhsimran Singh, Anmolpreet Singh, and other middle-order batsmen ensured the momentum continued throughout the innings, allowing Punjab to post a huge total of 310 runs in just 20 overs.
Bengal, in response, faced an uphill battle against the high-powered Punjab batting. Their bowling attack, led by captain Abhimanyu Easwaran, struggled to contain the onslaught from Sharma and his partners.
Key Performances
- Abhishek Sharma: 148 runs off 52 balls, 8 fours, 16 sixes
- Prabhsimran Singh: 70 runs
- Rammdeep Singh: 39 runs off 15 balls, 4 sixes, 2 fours
- Sanvir Singh: 22 runs off 8 balls, 2 sixes, 2 fours
Playing XI
Punjab: Abhishek Sharma (Captain), Prabhsimran Singh (Wicketkeeper), Anmolpreet Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Sanvir Singh, Naman Dhir, Rammdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Mayank Markande, Harpreet Brar, Ashvini Kumar
West Bengal: Abhimanyu Easwaran (Captain), Abhishek Porel (Wicketkeeper), Karan Lal, Shakir Habib Gandhi, Sudip Kumar Gharami, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ritik Chatterjee, Pradipta Pramanik, Saksham Chaudhary, Mohammad Shami, Akash Deep
Conclusion
Abhishek Sharma’s record-breaking innings is a testament to his explosive talent and potential for future international success. With a 12-ball fifty and a 32-ball century in a domestic T20 match, Sharma has not only rewritten records in Indian cricket but has also announced himself on the global T20 stage as a young prodigy capable of changing the course of a match in mere overs. Punjab’s resounding 310-run total will be remembered as a masterclass in aggressive batting, with Sharma at the center of this historic performance.
