Abhishek Sharma came agonisingly close to breaking Yuvraj Singh’s long-standing record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian, falling just one delivery short during India’s dominant win over New Zealand in the third T20I in Guwahati. The left-hander raced to his half-century in just 13 balls at the Barsapara Stadium, narrowly missing Yuvraj’s iconic 12-ball effort, which still stands as the quickest by an Indian in men’s T20 internationals. Abhishek’s explosive start powered India to a swift chase inside 10 overs, sealing an emphatic eight-wicket victory and an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Yuvraj Singh’s playful reminder and Abhishek Sharma’s response

Soon after the match, Yuvraj took to X to applaud the young opener, while also cheekily reminding him who still owns the record. Tagging Abhishek, the former India all-rounder wrote, “Still can’t get a 50 off 12 balls, can you? Well played, keep going strong.”

The post quickly went viral, showcasing the warm bond between mentor and protégé. Abhishek has often credited Yuvraj for shaping his aggressive mindset and fearless approach at the top of the order.

Speaking after the game, Abhishek played down the near-miss, insisting personal milestones were never his priority. “That’s what my team wants from me and I just want to execute. It’s not easy every time, but a lot depends on the mental side and the atmosphere in the dressing room,” he said.

Also Read: 0(1) Nightmare: Sanju Samson joins unwanted list as World Cup hopes hang by a thread!

Asked about the possibility of eclipsing Yuvraj’s record, Abhishek was candid. “That’s more than impossible for anyone, but you never know. All the batters have been hitting the ball well in this series, so it’s going to be fun going forward,” he added.

Abhishek’s knock once again highlighted India’s growing batting depth, with captain Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten fifty steering the team to a commanding, series-clinching win in Guwahati. While Yuvraj’s benchmark remains intact for now, Abhishek’s fearless approach served as a clear sign that the next generation is inching ever closer to rewriting Indian cricket’s T20 records, with encouragement and gentle reminders from those who set them.