Abhishek Sharma makes T20I history! The Indian star created an unrivaled record with a blazing fifty against Ireland
Abhishek Sharma (Image credit: BCCI) NEW DELHI: Abhishek Sharma continued his love affair with explosive bats on Friday, rewriting the T20I record books during India’s opening match against Ireland in Belfast by becoming the first batsman from a full member nation to score five half-centuries in 20 balls or less.The left-arm opener reached his final fifty in just 19 deliveries, adding another breathtaking knock to his growing collection of blistering innings. No other batsman from the full member side has managed the feat more than three times, putting Abhishek in a league of his own.Some of the biggest names in T20 cricket – including Yuvraj Singh, David Warner, Phil Salt, Colin Munro, Dasun Shanaka and Finn Allen – have scored just three such blistering fifties each.Abhishek reached the milestone in the eighth over with a controlled drive towards deep mid-wicket and earned a warm applause from the Indian dressing room before acknowledging the appreciation with a thumbs-up.His innings also became the third-fastest T20I fifty ever scored against Ireland, behind Stephan Myburgh’s 17-ball effort in 2014 and Litton Das’ 18-ball blitz in 2023.Fastest T20I 50s vs. Ireland (by balls)
- 17 – Stephan Myburgh (Sylhet 2014)
- 18 – Litton Das (chattogram 2023)
- 19 – Abhishek Sharma (Belfast 2026)
- 20 – Phil Salt (Malahide 2025)
The fireworks end shortly after the milestone
However, the celebrations were short-lived. Three balls after bringing up his fifty, Abhishek fell to exactly 50 from just 20 balls, smashing seven fours and two sixes during another fearless show at the top of the order.Irish pacer Liam McCarthy claimed his first T20I wicket when Abhishek mistimed a pull, with Matthew Humphreys completing the catch at deep mid-wicket.Despite the dismissal, the 25-year-old has already done considerable damage, giving India another flying start while underlining why he has become one of the most devastating power batsmen in the world.Earlier, the Indian pacers laid the foundation by restricting Ireland to 182 for 9 after opting to field first.Harshit Rana took figures of 3 for 24, dismissing Tim Tector, Ross Adair and skipper Lorcan Tucker, who top-scored with 50. Arshdeep Singh took two wickets while Shivam Dube and Axar Patel also struck at crucial moments.Although Ireland recovered thanks to Tucker and Gareth Delany, whose 49 threatened to take the hosts past 190, India’s disciplined bowling attack kept them in check.Abhishek then ensured that the chase began in spectacular fashion. While his stay lasted just 20 balls, it was enough to set another record, further cementing his reputation as one of T20 cricket’s most explosive opening batsmen.
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