Fastest Fifties in IPL
The batsmen in the Indian Premier League (IPL) are known for their explosive batting. In the IPL boundaries are a common sight and sixes rain down like thunder. Within this world of power-hitting, a special category exists for those who can reach fifty (50 runs) in the blink of an eye. Let’s take a look at the fastest fifties in the IPL history.
Read More: Fastest Century in IPL
Yashasvi Jaiswal (13 balls)
The young gun from Rajasthan Royals, Yashasvi Jaiswal holds the coveted title of the fastest fifty in IPL history. Facing Kolkata Knight Riders in 2023, Jaiswal tore apart the bowling attack, making a challenging pitch look like a batsman’s paradise. He capitalized on the early gamble by the KKR captain to take the new ball himself, scoring a whopping 26 runs in the first over. Jaiswal continued his onslaught, reaching his half-century in a mere 13 balls, the fastest ever witnessed in the IPL. Although he couldn’t convert it into a hundred, his knock was instrumental in guiding the Royals to a comfortable victory.
Pat Cummins and KL Rahul (14 balls)
Not all heroes wear capes, and in this case, one came in the form of an exceptional fast bowler – Pat Cummins. Chasing a target of 162 on a difficult Pune pitch, KKR found themselves in a spot of bother at 83/4 by the 12th over. But then came Cummins, the unlikely batting hero. He walked in at No.6 and began dismantling the Mumbai Indians bowling attack with audacious sixes from the second ball he faced. His power-hitting blitz, including a six and a four off the fiery Jasprit Bumrah, brought KKR back into the game. The turning point came when he smashed Daniel Sams for a sequence of boundaries and sixes, reaching his fifty in a mere 14 balls and sealing a memorable victory for his team.
For nearly four seasons, the record for the fastest fifty stood at 15 balls. Then came KL Rahul on his debut for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) who rewrote the record books with a flurry of boundaries. A lucky top-edged six off Trent Boult set the tone for his innings. He followed it up with a display of exquisite cover drives and pulls against Mohammad Shami, leaving the bowler bewildered. By the 9th ball, he had already raced to 27 runs, and the fastest fifty seemed a possibility. He then capitalized on some undisciplined bowling from Amit Mishra, smashing 24 runs in the over to reach his fifty in just 14 balls, the new record at that time.
Read More: Fastest Ball in IPL
Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran & Yusuf Pathan (15 balls)
The Kolkata Knight Riders franchise features prominently in the list of fastest fifties, with two players – Sunil Narine and Yusuf Pathan – finding their place. Narine’s blistering knock came in 2017 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Stepping up as an opener after Chris Lynn’s injury, Narine displayed his power-hitting ability. He went after his national compatriot Samuel Badree, smashing three consecutive sixes, followed by a flurry of fours against S Aravind. By the time he reached his fifty off just 15 balls, he had not only set the record for the fastest fifty (shared with Yusuf Pathan).
Yusuf Pathan’s record-equaling knock came in a do-or-die encounter for KKR in 2014. Chasing a target of 161 in a must-win game, Pathan found himself dropped twice early on. However, he made his opportunities count, taking Dale Steyn to the cleaners for a staggering 26 runs in a single over. His aggressive batting ensured KKR chased down the target comfortably in just 14.2 overs.
IPL 2023 also saw another player join the elite 15-ball fifty club – Nicholas Pooran of Lucknow Super Giants. Chasing a mammoth 213 against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pooran came to the crease with his team needing a daunting 114 runs off just 56 balls. The situation seemed almost impossible, but Pooran wasn’t fazed. He started cautiously, reaching 10 runs off his first five deliveries. But then, he unleashed his fury. By the end of his innings, he had scored a blistering 62 runs off just 19 balls, with 7 towering sixes and 4 boundaries peppering his knock. He reached his fifty in a mere 15 deliveries.
Suresh Raina (16 balls)
While Suresh Raina’s blistering knock of 87 runs off just 25 balls in the 2014 IPL Qualifier 2 might have ended in a losing cause, it remains etched in the memory of fans for its sheer brilliance. Raina’s innings was a masterclass in clean hitting, taking his team to the highest-ever Powerplay score (100 runs) in IPL history. Had it not been for a miscalculated run-out, Raina was well on his way to not only the fastest fifty but also potentially the fastest IPL hundred. Even though Chennai Super Kings fell short on that occasion, Raina’s knock serves as a reminder of his immense talent and power-hitting ability.
Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Adam Gilchrist, & Chris Morris (17 balls)
The list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning some of the other big names who have scorched the IPL with their sub-20 ball fifties. Chris Gayle, the “Universe Boss,” needs no introduction. His record-breaking knock of 175 runs off just 66 balls for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2013 included the fastest IPL fifty, reached in just 17 balls.
Similarly, Adam Gilchrist, known for his explosive batting, smashed the fastest fifty in IPL history (at that time) in 2009, reaching the milestone in 17 balls for Deccan Chargers.
Chris Morris, the South African all-rounder, also finds a place in this elite group with his power-packed 17-ball fifty for Delhi Daredevils in 2016.
In IPL 2016 Kieron Pollard takes on Knight Riders’ hapless bowling attack, having come in with 69 runs to get off 42 in a chase of 176. He smashed a 17-ball fifty and reduced their tricky chase to a canter past the finish.
Read More: Longest Sixes in IPL
These are just a few examples of the many incredible innings played in the IPL. The league has consistently provided a platform for batsmen to showcase their power-hitting ability, pushing the boundaries of the game and leaving fans awestruck with their skillfull strokeplay. As the IPL continues, one can only expect to see even more splendid knocks and records broken in the years to come.
