The Fastest Fifty in IPL History: A Record-Breaking Performance

While centuries often steal the spotlight, the significance of half-centuries in cricket cannot be overlooked. In the Indian Premier League over the years, we have seen a number of batsmen score half centuries, but some of them did it at amazing strike rates. 

Fastest fifty in IPL history - top 10 list 

Yashasvi Jaiswal

In IPL 2023, Yashasvi Jaiswal set a new record by scoring the fastest fifty in IPL history. The Rajasthan Royals opener started with incredible aggression and dominated Kolkata Knight Riders' bowlers, achieving his fifty in just 13 balls. This performance surpassed the previous joint record held by Pat Cummins and KL Rahul, who each scored their fifties in 14 balls. Jaiswal continued his powerful play, ending with an unbeaten 98 runs, as Rajasthan easily chased down their target of 150 in just 13.1 overs. His 47-ball innings included 12 fours and five sixes. This performance is the second-fastest fifty in any form of cricket, following Yuvraj Singh's 12-ball fifty against England in the first ICC T20 World Cup in 2007.

KL Rahul 

In the 2018 IPL season, KL Rahul, playing his first match for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), achieved a rapid half-century in just 14 balls against Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), at an impressive strike rate of 318.75. At one point, he was 27 runs off nine balls, making the fifty seem a distant possibility, but then he attacked Amit Mishra's undisciplined over, scoring 24 runs in it. KL Rahul ended up as the top scorer for his team, helping Kings XI Punjab secure a comfortable six-wicket victory over the Daredevils. 

Also read – who has scored the fastest fifty in the PSL? 

Pat Cummins 

In IPL 2022, Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Pat Cummins equaled KL Rahul's record by reaching a half-century in just 14 balls during a match against the Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium in Pune. Cummins scored 35 runs in a single over bowled by Daniel Sams, which helped Kolkata achieve chase down a target of 162 runs with four overs to spare.
Cummins wrapped up the match with an impressive 56 runs off just 15 balls, including four boundaries and six sixes. However, in that same game, Cummins was expensive with the ball, conceding 49 runs in four overs while dismissing two batters. 

Yusuf Pathan 

In Kolkata Knight Riders' final league game in IPL 2014, Yusuf Pathan played a blinder of an innings at the Eden Gardens. KKR needed to chase down 161 runs in 15.2 overs to secure a chance to qualify for the final, and Pathan made sure that he rises to the occasion. After being dropped twice early in his innings, Pathan capitalized on the opportunity and unleashed a powerful attack, scoring 26 runs off an over bowled by Dale Steyn. He scored a half century off just 15 balls and helped the Knight Riders finish the chase in just 14.2 overs.

Sunil Narine 

In the IPL 2017 match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Sunil Narine, known primarily for his bowling skills at the time, opened the batting for KKR and made an immediate impact. He scored the fastest half-century of the season, reaching the milestone in just 15 balls. In a single over against Samuel Badree, Narine launched three identical sixes. He brought up his fifty with another huge six. Marine's explosive innings came to an end when he was dismissed by Aniket Chaudhary. Narine top-edged a short-pitched delivery to wicket-keeper Kedar Jadhav and was out for 54 runs from 17 balls.

Nicholas Pooran 

On April 10, 2023, Lucknow Super Giants batsman Nicholas Pooran delivered an outstanding performance against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, scoring the second- fastest half-century of the season in just 15 balls. When he walked out to bat, the Super Giants needed 114 from 56 balls in a chase of 213. Pooran ended his remarkable innings with 62 runs from 19 balls. His innings included seven sixes and four fours. Thanks to his explosive batting, LSG secured a victory by one wicket.

Suresh Raina 

In the IPL 2014 Qualifier match between CSK and KXIP, Suresh Raina delivered one of his best performances. Despite KXIP setting a daunting target of 227 runs, Raina's aggressive batting at number 3 turned the tide. He blazed to his fifty in just 16 balls, taking the attack to the Punjab bowlers and guiding CSK towards victory. Raina's onslaught included a memorable 32-run over against Parwinder Awana, featuring two fours and four massive sixes. His innings was cut short by a runout, but his brilliance couldn't be overshadowed even as CSK fell short by 24 runs. 

Ishan Kishan 

During IPL 2021, Mumbai Indians opening batsman Ishan Kishan scored a fifty off just 16 balls against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. His innings comprised eight fours and two sixes. This fifty also marked the fastest half-century for Mumbai in the tournament. Notably, this wasn't Kishan's first display of quick scoring. The wicketkeeper batsman had previously smashed a fifty off 17 balls against the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2018.

Abhishek Sharma 

In the ongoing IPL 2024, Sunrisers Hyderabad's Abhishek Sharma made headlines by smashing a fifty off just 16 balls against the Mumbai Indians, breaking the record held by Australia's Travis Head in the same match. Head himself reaches his half-century in 18 balls in the same game. Sharma's explosive innings, which included seven sixes, was brought to an end by Piyush Chawla in the 11th over. He finished with a sensational 63 runs off just 23 balls. Sharma and Head together forged a blistering 68-run partnership in just 22 balls. Hyderabad's batting display that day was nothing short of remarkable, as they reached the 100-run mark by the end of the seventh over and accelerated to 150 in just 10.2 overs.

Kieron Pollard 

Mumbai Indians' Kieron Pollard, who walked in with 69 runs needed off 42 balls in a chase of 176 against KKR, took his team over the line at the Wankhede Stadium. Pollard remained unbeaten on 51 off 17, which was laced with two boundaries and six maximums. Mumbai chased down the target in 18 overs.