Fastest T20I Fifties Against India Ft. Marco Jansen

Fastest T20I Fifties Against India Ft. Marco Jansen: India’s T20I squad has long been a challenging rival in cricket, especially with their strong bowling unit and fierce energy. Yet, over the years, a few batsmen have managed to shake up India’s game plan by scoring exceptionally fast fifties. Here, we take a look at the top five fastest half-centuries recorded against India in T20 internationals, showcasing some thrilling and unforgettable moments in the sport.

Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)—21 Balls (Nagpur, 2009)

In 2009, Kumar Sangakkara led Sri Lanka with a stunning 21-ball half-century during the first T20I in Nagpur. Sangakkara’s aggressive approach saw him score 78 off just 37 balls, striking 11 boundaries and two sixes at an impressive strike rate of 210.81. His blazing innings pushed Sri Lanka to a total of 215/5, which India couldn’t chase down, falling short by 29 runs. Sangakkara’s batting was a perfect mix of skill and aggression, setting the stage for a decisive win.

Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka)—20 Balls (Pune, 2023)

Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka showcased his powerful hitting in the second T20I against India in Pune, 2023. With Sri Lanka under pressure at 138/5, Shanaka turned the game around, reaching his fifty in just 20 balls. His unbeaten 56 off 22 balls, which included two boundaries and six massive sixes, lifted Sri Lanka’s score to 206/6. India struggled to keep up in the chase and ended up losing by 16 runs. Shanaka’s innings were a game-changer and a fine display of captaincy under pressure.

Johnson Charles (West Indies)—20 Balls (Lauderhill, 2016)

West Indies’ Johnson Charles brought a fiery spirit to the field in the 2016 T20I series opener against India in Lauderhill. Charles tore into Indian bowling, blasting his way to a fifty in only 20 balls. He eventually scored 79 runs from just 33 balls, hitting six fours and seven sixes. His fast-paced knock helped the West Indies post a daunting total of 245/6, which led to a nail-biting one-run victory over India. Charles’s high-energy innings electrified the crowd and set the tone for a thrilling encounter.

Cameron Green (Australia)—19 Balls (Hyderabad, 2022)

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green stunned the Indian team with a blazing 19-ball fifty in the third T20I in Hyderabad in 2022. Green’s knock of 52 runs from 21 balls was filled with seven boundaries and three sixes, resulting in a jaw-dropping strike rate of 247.61. While Australia reached a competitive total of 186/7, India successfully chased it down, but Green’s quick start made a memorable impact.

Marco Jansen (South Africa)—16 Balls (Centurion, 2024)

South African powerhouse Marco Jansen made history by scoring the fastest T20I fifty against India, taking only 16 balls to reach the milestone in Centurion’s third T20I in 2024. South Africa, needing a big push at 169/6, found hope as Jansen launched a fierce attack, particularly in the 19th over, where he hammered 26 runs off Hardik Pandya. Though India narrowly won by 11 runs, Jansen’s remarkable innings of two sixes and three boundaries left fans in awe and secured his place in the T20 record books.

These lightning-fast fifties serve as a reminder of how a single player’s innings can shift the momentum of a match and create unforgettable moments in cricket. Each of these knocks reflects the skill, timing, and sheer audacity needed to take on India’s bowling attack in the high-stakes T20 format.

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