By Admin 
India’s opening batsman Abhishek Sharma scored a half-century in just 14 balls in the third T20 match against New Zealand at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Sunday. This was the second fastest T20 International half-century by an Indian.
The fastest half-century in T20 cricket is in the name of Yuvraj Singh, who achieved this feat in 12 balls against England in 2007.
On Sunday, after losing the toss and coming to bat first, the New Zealand team scored 153 runs losing 9 wickets. In response, India won the match in just 10 overs thanks to the unbroken partnership of 102 runs in 40 balls between Abhishek Sharma and captain Suryakumar Yadav. Abhishek scored unbeaten 68 runs in 20 balls with 5 sixes and 7 fours, while Surya played an unbeaten inning of 57 runs in 26 balls with 9 boundaries.
Talking about his brilliant innings after the match, Abhishek said, “This is what the team wants from me and I want to do it every time. But obviously, it is not easy to do it every time, but I think it all depends on the mentality and also the atmosphere in the dressing room.”
He said, “It is more than impossible for anyone to break Yuvraj Singh’s record of fastest T20 half-century, but still, you never know. Any batsman can do it. I think all the batsmen are playing very well in this series. This series is going to be fun in future also.”
On hitting a six on the very first ball, he said, “I wouldn’t say I want to hit a six on the very first ball. It’s just my instinct between the wickets. I think about the bowler, if he wants to get me out on the first ball, what kind of ball can he bowl to me? It’s always in my mind and I just want to play on that ball.”
Talking about his footwork, Abhishek said, “If you look carefully, it all depends on the field placement. If there is no fielder on the leg side, I never move to that side. When I get a little room for myself, I have the entire ground on the off side. This is always in my mind. I just want to play according to the field.”