Top 5 fastest fifties by Rohit Sharma in T20Is ft. T20 World Cup vs Australia
Rohit Sharma is one of the most successful batters in T20I cricket history. The Indian captain made his T20I debut back in the year 2007, where he helped India become the champions in the inaugural T20 World Cup.
So far, Rohit Sharma has played 156 T20Is, aggregating 4,073 runs. He has registered five centuries and 30 half-centuries in the 148 innings he has played for India. Notably, Sharma has maintained a phenomenal strike rate of 139.58.
Many bowlers are afraid to bowl against Sharma in T20Is because of his aggressive batting style. On that note, here's a list of the top five quickest fifties by Sharma in T20I matches.
#5 - 23 balls vs West Indies, 2019
Rohit Sharma has hit a 23-ball 50 four times in his T20I career. The last one came against New Zealand in 2020, while the other three feature on this list.
In 2019, India hosted West Indies for a three-match T20I series, with Wankhede Stadium hosting the final T20I. Rohit opened the batting with KL Rahul and launched a relentless assault on the Caribbean bowling lineup.
The Hitman smashed four fours and four sixes to race to his half-ton off just 23 balls. He ended with 71 runs off just 34 deliveries.
#4 - 23 balls vs Bangladesh, 2019
Just before the series against West Indies, India hosted Bangladesh for three T20Is. After a shock defeat in the first T20I, India reached Rajkot to avoid an embarrassing series defeat against their neighbors.
Captain Rohit led from the front with a 43-ball 85, which helped India chase down 154 in just 15.1 overs. Rohit showed intent right from the word 'go' and completed his half-ton in 23 balls, hitting six fours and three maximums.
#3 - 23 balls vs Sri Lanka, 2017
Fans at the Holkar Cricket Stadium witnessed an extraordinary batting performance from Rohit Sharma on December 22, 2017, when India battled Sri Lanka in Indore.
The visitors opted to bowl first after winning the toss. The decision backfired as India posted a mammoth 260/5 on the board. Rohit top-scored for India with a 43-ball 118. He took 23 balls for his first 50, while the next 68 runs came off just 20 balls.
#2 - 22 balls vs West Indies, 2016
For eight years, this was Rohit Sharma's fastest half-century in T20I cricket. Playing against West Indies in Lauderhill in 2016, Sharma took 22 deliveries to complete his half-ton.
He hit four fours and three sixes en route to his fifty. The Hitman finished with a 28-ball 62, but unfortunately for him, India lost that game by one run while chasing 246.
#1 Rohit Sharma's fastest T20I 50 - 19 balls vs Australia, 2024
Sharma set a new personal record for fastest T20I fifty earlier today at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium. Playing against heavyweights Australia, Sharma attacked Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins mercilessly to complete his half-century in 19 balls.
The Indian skipper smashed four fours and five sixes against the dangerous Aussie bowlers. He is currently unbeaten on 89 off 37.
It will be interesting to see if he can complete his century. You can follow the live scorecard here.