Abhishek Sharma writes T20I history! India star sets unprecedented record with blazing fifty against Ireland Cricket News:

Abhishek Sharma (Image credit: BCCI)

NEW DELHI: Abhishek Sharma continued his love affair with explosive batting on Friday, rewriting the T20I record books during India’s opening match against Ireland in Belfast by becoming the first batter from a Full Member nation to score five half-centuries in 20 balls or fewer.The left-handed opener reached his latest fifty in just 19 deliveries, adding another sensational knock to his growing collection of whirlwind innings. No other batter from the Full Member side has managed the feat more than three times, putting Abhishek in a league of his own.Some of the biggest names in T20 cricket – including Yuvraj Singh, David Warner, Phil Salt, Colin Munro, Dasun Shanaka and Finn Allen – have each recorded just three such lightning-quick fifties.Abhishek reached the landmark in the eighth over with a controlled pull towards deep mid-wicket, earning a warm applause from the Indian dressing room before accepting the appreciation with a thumbs-up.His innings also became the third-fastest T20I fifty scored against Ireland, behind Stephan Myburgh’s 17-ball effort in 2014 and Litton Das’ 18-ball blitz in 2023.Fastest T20I 50s against Ireland (by balls)

Fireworks will end immediately after the milestone

The celebrations, however, were short-lived. Three balls after bringing up his fifty, Abhishek fell to an exacting 50 off just 20 balls, smashing seven fours and two sixes during another fearless display at the top of the order.Ireland pacer Liam McCarthy claimed his maiden T20I wicket when Abhishek miscued a pull shot, with Matthew Humphreys completing the catch at deep mid-wicket.Despite the dismissal, the 25-year-old has already done a lot of damage, giving India another start while outlining why he has become one of the most devastating powerplay batters in the world.Earlier, the Indian pacers laid the foundation by restricting Ireland to 182 for 9 after electing to field first.Harshit Rana starred with figures of 3 for 24, dismissing Tim Tector, Ross Adair and captain Lorcan Tucker, who top-scored with 50. Arshdeep Singh took two wickets, while Shivam Dube and Axar Patel also struck at crucial moments.Although Ireland recovered through Tucker and Gareth Delany, whose 49 threatened to push the hosts past 190, India’s disciplined bowling attack held them back.Abhishek then made sure that the chase started in a spectacular way. While his stay lasted only 20 balls, it was enough to set another record, further cementing his reputation as one of T20 cricket’s most explosive opening batters.