NEW DELHI: "That's more than impossible for anyone," said Abhishek Sharma after missing out on breaking his mentor Yuvraj Singh's record for the fastest half-century by an Indian batter in T20Is. Abhishek smashed a 14-ball fifty in the third T20I against New Zealand in Guwahati, falling just two balls short of the record.

Even Yuvraj Singh tickled his funny bone after the match, playfully challenging Abhishek to break his 12-ball fifty record. "Still can't get a 50 off 12 balls, can you? Well played - keep going strong!" Yuvraj posted on X.

However, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin reckoned that if any batter has it in him to break Yuvraj's long-standing record - achieved against England during the 2007 T20 World Cup - it is none other than Abhishek.

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"Our friend Abhishek Sharma made a statement. He said it will be very difficult to beat Yuvraj Paji's 50 off 12 balls," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. "I am saying, Abhishek, please do not be so humble. In India, people like it when you speak humbly, I agree. But do not be that humble. I am telling you, Abhishek won't say it himself, but whoever beats Yuvraj Paji's record in the near future, it will be Abhishek Sharma."

Looking back at Abhishek's explosive knock in Guwahati, Ashwin was full of praise for the young batter, highlighting his exceptional bat speed and going as far as calling him a "God-gifted talent."

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"Abhishek Sharma is batting at an incredible level in the powerplay, making 50 in just 14 balls. The way he is batting, even if wickets are falling, he is hitting long sixes. In Guwahati, he smashed a straight six, and after hitting it, he was looking at his bat. I mean, he was looking straight at the bottom of the bat. That shows the ball hit the bottom of the bat, but it still went for a six. The bat swing, the way he is batting, it is just amazing. I mean, this guy is God's own child. I am telling you, what compliment can I even give him? The way he is batting is unbelievable," he added.

Chasing a modest 154 in the third T20I, India turned the contest into a one-sided exhibition of power-hitting with Abhishek remaining unbeaten on a blistering 68 off 20 balls (7x4, 5x6) and Suryakumar Yadav smashing an equally fluent 57 not out off 26 deliveries (6x4, 3x6).