Hardik Pandya slammed the second-fastest T20I fifty by an Indian batter during the fifth and final T20I match against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday.
The all-rounder raised his half-century off 16 balls with a flat six over deep midwicket off Corbin Bosch’s bowling in the 17th over of India’s innings. His knock was studded with four fours and five sixes.
Coming in at No. 5, Hardik sent the first ball of his innings sailing over long-off before laying into spinner George Linde in the next over with two fours and two sixes. He then took a toll on Bosch, with a six and a four, before bringing up his half-century with another maximum.
The only Indian to hit a fifty in fewer balls than Hardik is Yuvraj Singh, who brought up his half-century in 12 balls against England during the inaugural T20 World Cup. The left-hander had famously hit Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over during that game.
Fastest fifties in T20Is by Indians
- Yuvraj Singh – 12 balls – India vs England – 2007
- Hardik Pandya – 16 balls – India vs South Africa – 2025
- Abhishek Sharma – 17 balls – India vs England – 2025
- KL Rahul – 18 balls – India vs Scotland – 2021
- Suryakumar Yadav – 18 balls – India vs South Africa – 2022
Published on Dec 19, 2025
