Shivam Dube rode his luck to hit the third-fastest T20I fifty by an Indian during the match against New Zealand on Wednesday, January 28. Dube found India in all sorts of trouble and then went on to score a scintillating half-century, albeit with some luck on his side. However, his dismissal came in a cruel way.
Dube reached his fifty in 15 balls, just one shy of Abhishek Sharma’s record in the previous game, as he took a particular liking to Ish Sodhi. The southpaw hit the New Zealand leg-spinner for 29 runs in the 12th over as India remained in the hunt after losing batsmen in quick succession. India lacked batter in the match as Ishan Kishan was rested due to a slight twitch. This meant India needed the top order to fire and they soon lost Abhishek and Suryakumar Yadav.
Dube came in ninth and started with a six. It was the 12th over where he came alive as he hit Sodhi for three sixes and two boundaries. He continued to attack the bowlers and was a little lucky to have his way through when he was adjudged leg before the wicket off the bowling of Duffy.
However, he took the review and it went in his favor and Dube continued to score boundaries consistently.
Fastest 50 for India in T20Is (by balls)
- 12 Yuvraj Singh vs Eng Durban 2007
- 14 Abhishek Sharma vs NZ Guwahati 2026
- 15 Shivam Dube vs NZ Vizag 2026
- 16 Hardik Pandya vs SA Ahmedabad 2025
- 17 Abhishek Sharma vs Eng Wankhede 2025
How was Dube dismissed?
Just when he looked set to lead the charge for the hosts late in the run-chase, he was dismissed through a run-out at the non-striker’s end. Harshit Rana went down the ground and Matt Henry got a hand on the ball which hit the stumps.
Dube was eventually dismissed for 65 off 23 balls.
– The end
Published on:
January 28, 2026
