New Delhi: Continuing his love for explosive hitting, Abhishek Sharma on Friday rewrote T20I records in India’s first Test against Ireland in Belfast, becoming the first regular member batsman in five half-centuries to score runs in 20 balls or less.The left-handed opener reached his latest fifty in just 19 deliveries, adding another stunning blow to his growing whirlwind innings. No other batsman from a regular member team has accomplished 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 only recorded three such lightning fifties each.Abhishek reached the milestone with a controlled pull towards deep mid-wicket in the eighth over, earning loud applause from the Indian dressing room and then a thumbs up in appreciation.His innings also became the third-fastest ever 50-ball T20I innings against Ireland, behind only Stephan Myburgh’s 17-ball haul in 2014 and Litton Das’ 18-ball blitz in 2023. Fastest T20I 50 seconds vs Ireland (by ball)
- 17 – Steven Myburg (Sylhet 2014)
- 18 – Litton Das (Chattogram 2023)
- 19 – Abhishek Sharma (Belfast 2026)
- 20 – Phil Salt (Malahide 2025)
Fireworks end shortly after milestone
However, the celebrations were short-lived. After his 50, Abhishek hit 3 balls to reach his 50 in just 20 balls, hitting 7 fours and two sixes in another fearless performance.Ireland pacer Liam McCarthy won his maiden T20I wicket when Abhishek mistimed his pull and Matthew Humphreys took the catch deep at mid-wicket.Despite being dismissed, the 25-year-old has caused huge damage, giving India another good start while also underlining why he is 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 start.Harshit Rana took 3 for 24, beating Tim Tector, Ross Adair and captain Lorcan Tucker, who top-scored with 50 runs. Arshdeep Singh picked up two wickets while Shivam Dube and Axar Patel also scored at crucial moments.Although Ireland threatened with 49 runs from Tucker and Gareth Delany to push the hosts beyond 190, India’s disciplined bowling attack restricted them.Abhishek then ensures that the chase begins in spectacular fashion. Although he only played 20 balls, it was enough to set another record and further cement his reputation as one of the most explosive opening batsmen in T20 cricket.
