Records are tumbling as India's "Fearless Era" takes flight! While Yuvraj Singh's 12-ball masterpiece still leads, Abhishek Sharma's 14-ball blitz and Shivam Dube's 15-ball explosion in 2026 have redefined power-hitting. Rounded out by Hardik Pandya's 16-ball strike and Suryakumar Yadav's 17-ball clinic, this elite list proves one thing: the Indian top order is now officially unstoppable. Is the legendary 12-ball record finally under threat?
In the high-octane world of cricket 2026, the "Men in Maroon" and "Black Caps" aren't the only ones witnessing fireworks. The Indian T20I side has officially entered its "Hyper-Drive" era. Within just one week of the January 2026 New Zealand series, the record books have been shredded, rewritten, and set on fire by a new generation of fearless power-hitters.
While Yuvraj Singh's legendary 12-ball blitz remains the gold standard, the gap is closing fast. Here is the updated list of the fastest T20I half-centuries by Indians as we head into the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
On January 25, 2026, in Guwahati, Abhishek Sharma came within a whisker of his mentor Yuvraj's record. Launching a relentless assault from the first delivery, the left-hander reached his fifty in just 14 balls. Yuvraj's playful response—"Still can't get it in 12, can you?"—went viral, but the message was clear: Abhishek is the new face of Indian aggression.
Just three days later in Vizag, Shivam Dube joined the party. He dismantled the Kiwi attack to bring up a 15-ball fifty, proving that India's middle order is now just as explosive as the top.
| Rank | Player | Balls | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| 1 | Yuvraj Singh | 12 | England | Durban | 2007 |
| 2 | Abhishek Sharma | 14 | New Zealand | Guwahati | 2026 |
| 3 | Shivam Dube | 15 | New Zealand | Vizag | 2026 |
| 4 | Hardik Pandya | 16 | South Africa | Ahmedabad | 2025 |
| 5 | Suryakumar Yadav | 17 | Australia | Visakhapatnam | 2024 |
Nineteen years later, and the "Six Sixes" king still wears the crown. This wasn't just an innings; it was a cultural shift. By dismantling Stuart Broad in Durban, Yuvraj set a benchmark that many thought was untouchable. Even in the modern era of thicker bats and shorter boundaries, his 12-ball masterpiece remains the pinnacle of Indian T20 history.
The protege has officially arrived. On January 25, 2026, in Guwahati, Abhishek Sharma came within a whisker of his mentor's record. Launching a relentless assault from the first delivery, the left-hander reached his fifty in just 14 balls. Yuvraj's witty response on social media—"Still can't get it in 12, can you?"—went viral, but the message was clear: Abhishek is the new face of Indian aggression.
Just three days after Abhishek's heroics, Shivam Dube decided to join the party. In the 4th T20I at Vizag, Dube showcased his transformed game. No longer just a "spin-basher," he dismantled the Kiwi pace attack to bring up a 15-ball fifty. His ability to clear the ropes with ease has made him India's ultimate "X-factor" for the upcoming World Cup.
Before the 2026 storm, Hardik Pandya held the second spot with a clinical 16-ball half-century in Ahmedabad. His innings against the Proteas showed the world that he remains one of the cleanest strikers of the ball, particularly when the pressure is at its highest.
No list of Indian power-hitting is complete without the captain himself, Suryakumar Yadav. While the 2026 records are fresh, many fans still point to his 17-ball masterclass in 2024 as the spark that changed everything.
In April 2024, during a high-stakes encounter, SKY redefined the "Mr. 360" aura with a 17-ball half-century that silenced critics and cemented his role as the world's most dangerous T20 batter. It was this specific brand of fearless cricket that paved the way for the young guns like Abhishek and Dube to chase the 12-ball dream today.
Why are records tumbling now? Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir, India has adopted a "no-anchor" policy. The instruction is simple: See ball, hit ball. This aggressive mindset, combined with the power of all-rounders like Dube and Hardik Pandya, allows India to maintain a strike rate north of 200 throughout the innings. As we approach the 2026 World Cup, the question isn't if Yuvraj's record will be broken, but when.
Also Read: Most Sixes in ODI Cricket History: All-Time Biggest Hitters List
Share this post
Records are tumbling as India's "Fearless Era" takes flight! While Yuvraj Singh's 12-ball masterpiece still leads, Abhishek Sharma's 14-ball blitz and Shivam Dube's 15-ball explosion in 2026 have redefined power-hitting. Rounded out by Hardik Pandya's 16-ball strike and Suryakumar Yadav's 17-ball clinic, this elite list proves one thing: the Indian top order is now officially unstoppable. Is the legendary 12-ball record finally under threat?
King Kohli makes history, Virat Kohli shattered records in Vadodara, becoming the fastest to 28,000 international runs in just 624 innings. The "Chase Master" also became the first player ever to cross 2,000 runs in 300+ ODI chases. Despite a bittersweet dismissal for 93—his 9th in the 90s—Kohli’s masterclass against New Zealand cements his status as the second-highest run-scorer in cricket history.
RCB kicked off Tata WPL 2026 in dramatic fashion as Nadine de Klerk delivered a stunning all-round masterclass against the Mumbai Indians. After ripping through MI with a four-wicket haul, she smashed an unbeaten 63 and pulled off a breathtaking last-ball finish. The blockbuster opening clash instantly set the tone for an unforgettable WPL season.
A new era begins for the Blackcaps! Mitchell Santner leads New Zealand’s 15-man T20 World Cup squad, featuring a maiden call-up for pacer Jacob Duffy. With paternity leave looming for key stars, Kyle Jamieson stands by as a reserve. Placed in Group D, the Kiwis launch their campaign on February 8 in Chennai against Afghanistan, building toward a high-stakes clash with South Africa in Ahmedabad.
Afghanistan has announced its squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, led by Rashid Khan. Key returns include Naveen-ul-Haq and Gulbadin Naib, adding strength and experience to the team. With exciting talents like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan is ready to compete for glory. The tournament starts on February 7, 2026, and Afghanistan aims to make a powerful impact on the global stage.
ScoreWaves © 2025 Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
Views:
Download Our App
IOS
Google Play Store