NEW DELHI: India were down and out in the second innings of the fourth T20I against New Zealand. But then came Shivam Dube, and he just showed some muscle as he punished the Kiwi bowlers with a sensational half-century in just 15 deliveries.

With that, Shivam Dube became the third fastest half-century by an Indian batter, only behind Yuvraj Singh and fellow Abhishek Sharma.

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Fastest 50 for India in T20Is (by balls)

  • Yuvraj Singh vs England, Durban 2007 – 12 balls
  • Abhishek Sharma vs New Zealand, Guwahati 2026 – 14 balls
  • Shivam Dube vs New Zealand, Vizag 2026 – 15 balls
  • Hardik Pandya vs South Africa, Ahmedabad 2025 – 16 balls
  • Abhishek Sharma vs England, Wankhede 2025 – 17 balls

Shivam Dube came out to bat at number six when India were 82 for 5 down. From the very first delivery, he launched a massive six to signal his intent. He continued attacking and took the bowlers for cleaners, turning the innings around with sheer power.

In a standout over, he smashed 29 runs off Ish Sodhi, New Zealand’s premier leg-spinner, who had been bowling at a good economy rate before that.

Record-breaking over

The funny thing is, the record for most runs scored in an over in an India-New Zealand T20I remains 34 runs, also involving Shivam Dube, as he concluded that over back in Mount Maunganui in 2020.

Now, with his 29-run blitz in Vizag, Dube has posted the second most runs in an over in India-New Zealand T20I history.

Most runs scored in an over in an Ind-NZ T20I:

  • New Zealand vs India, Mount Maunganui 2020 – concluded by Shivam Dube – 34 runs
  • India vs New Zealand, Vizag 2026 – Shivam Dube off Ish Sodhi – 29 runs

India now have a mountain to climb with 215 runs posted by New Zealand. All eyes will be on Shivam Dube to continue delivering, as Harshit Rana is the only other batter left and the rest of the lineup will have to step up if India are to chase down a massive total.