Fastest Fifties in IPL
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been entertaining the cricket world for more than 10 years now, witnessing a lot of blistering and breathtaking knocks, be it from the legendary players or the young guns. Some players have often stunned the crowd by smashing fastest fifties or playing a blinder of an innings to turn around the game. In the likes of dangerous players like Chris Gayle and Adam Gilchrist, the local players also joined the party and broke the records of Fastest Half Century in IPL.
Top 5 Batsmen With Fastest Fifties in IPL
Let’s have a look at the top 5 batsmen who hit the Fastest Half Century in IPL history:
#1. KL Rahul (50 in 14 Balls)
Opener KL Rahul has been a terrific find for India especially in the shortest format of the game and it was through King XI Punjab, the stylish batsman made his way to the national team. He plays a massive role for Punjab as an opener and has always been one of the consistent batsmen in this tournament.
The 27-year old batsman went onto hit the fastest 50 in the history of IPL against Delhi Capitals in 2018. Chasing Delhi Capitals’ 167, Rahul opened the innings and took the bowlers to the cleaners right from the word go. Smashing 6 fours and 4 sixes, he scored 51 off just 14 balls at a massive strike rate of 318.75. The tournament might come one after another, but Rahul’s knock will be remembered for a long time.
Read More: Fastest Century in IPL
#2. Yusuf Pathan (50 in 15 Balls)
Yusuf Pathan is one of the most popular names when it comes to the IPL for his explosive knocks. He has played some extraordinary knocks over the years, but his brutal knock in IPL 2014 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad tops the list. Chasing Hyderabad’s 161, Kolkata were in all sorts of trouble with 78/4. But Yusuf’s blistering knock of 72 from 22 balls including 5 fours and 7 sixes changed the whole complexion of the game with the blink of an eye and they easily chased down the target in only 14.2 overs in the end. Yusuf reached to his fifty in only 15 balls, which is now the second-fastest 50 in the history of IPL.
Read More: Fastest Ball in IPL
#3. Sunil Narine (50 in 15 Balls)
The life of Sunil Narine in the IPL turned out to be an inspiring one as he turned into an all-rounder who bats as an opener from a frontline bowler. Narine used to open the innings with Chris Lynn in IPL 2017 and courtesy of his massive pinch-hitting and life turned into a nightmare for the bowlers. The opening duo sparkled with fifties after Royal Challengers Bangalore posted 158 on the board. But Narine took away the spotlight as he reached to his fifty in only 15 balls, which is the third-Fastest Half Century in IPL. At a strike rate of 317.65, Sunil Narine scored 54 off just 17 balls with 6 fours and 4 sixes. He delivered a complete all-round performance in that game as he also finished with match figures of 2/29.
Read More: Most Fifties in IPL
#4. Suresh Raina (50 in 16 Balls)
Suresh Raina is well-known for his outstanding consistency in the IPL. He has smacked fifties and played match-winning knocks all over the years for his side Chennai Super Kings. But the one that tops the list is his firing knock of 87 off just 25 balls in 2014 play-off game against Kings XI Punjab. Raina marked his fifty in only 16 balls, which is the fourth fastest 50 in the history of IPL. It ended in the losing cause as Virender Sehwag’s 122 took Kings XI Punjab to a mammoth score of 226. But Raina’s fastest 50 and a terrific display of batting kept Chennai alive in the game till the end.
Read More: Longest Sixes in IPL
#5. Chris Gayle (50 in 17 Balls)
Chris Gayle has always been the deadliest batsman and a nightmare for the bowlers in the shortest format of the game. He has played various incredible knocks, but who knew that a massive Gayle storm was still waiting to hit in India and it came against the Pune Warriors in 2013. He played an unstoppable knock of 175* in only 66 balls to score the highest-ever run in the history of IPL and he also reached to his fifty in only 17 balls, which is the fifth-fastest 50 in IPL history. Gayle’s innings include 13 fours & 17 massive sixes and it took Royal Challengers Bangalore to 263, which is the highest-ever team total in IPL till date.
