Fastest Half-Century in ODI

De Villiers – 16 Balls

The record for the fastest half-century in ODI cricket was set by AB de Villiers who achieved the feat in 16 balls. The fastest 50 by an Indian batsman was accomplished by Ajit Agarkar in 21 balls.

Top Five Half-Centuries for India in ODI Cricket

Yuvraj Singh – 22 Balls

Yuvraj Singh scored a half-century off 22 balls on 27 December 2004 when India and Bangladesh met at Dhaka in the third match of a series. India batted first and got off to a good start, with a partnership of 106 between Sehwag and Tendulkar. On a good batting track, India continued to score at a rapid rate and when Rahul Dravid got out India were 247 for 4 in 41.4 overs. With only eight overs to go, Yuvraj Singh came to the wicket. As India’s main batsmen were already out it was reasonable to expect that India would score about 300 to 320. But Yuvraj had other ideas. He went after the bowling from the first ball he faced and when he got out with three balls to spare he had made 69 off 32 balls, with 8 fours and 3 sixes, in a 93-run partnership with Mohd Kaif, in which Kaif scored 28 runs off 23 balls. Yuvi was particularly severe against Mohd Rafique whom he hit for three fours in the 44th over and for two fours and a six in the 46th over. He also had a four and a six each against Khalid Mahmud and Mashrafe Mortaza. Yuvraj’s carnage helped India to a total of 348/5 in a match they won by 91 runs. 

Rahul Dravid – 22 Balls

Rahul Dravid scored a half-century off 22 balls on 15 November 2003 in the ninth match of the TVS Cup competition played against New Zealand at Hyderabad. India was batting first and openers Sehwag and Tendulkar, both of whom got centuries, were involved in a stand of 183 for the first wicket. Dravid came to the wicket at 3 for 283 when Sehwag got out in the fourth ball of the 44th over. Tiring New Zealand were ill-prepared for the strokeplay that Dravid unleashed on them as he hit 3 sixes and 5 fours, Oram, who took the brunt of Dravid’s aggression, was hot for two sixes and two fours, while Tuffey conceded four fours. Dravid’s unbeaten innings of 50 off 22 balls to help India to 353/5. In reply, New Zealand were bowled out for 208 in 47 overs.

Virendra Sehwag – 22 Balls

Virendra Sehwag scored a half-century in 22 balls against Kenya on 24 October 2001 at Boland Park in Paarl, South Africa, in the ninth match of the Standard Bank Triangular Tournament. Batting first, India’s openers Tendulkar and Ganguly put on 258 runs before Ganguly got out in the 42nd over. Sehwag proceeded to punish the Kenyan bowlers and remained not out on 55 off 23 balls with 3 sixes and 7 fours in an Indian scorecard of 351/3. Sehwag hammered Martin Suji for two fours and two sixes in the 50th over. Earlier, he milked the bowling of Odoyo for 4 fours and a six. Kenya managed only 165/5 in reply.

Kapil Dev – 22 Balls

Kapil Dev scored a half-century in 22 balls on 29 March 1983 in the second ODI of a series during India’s tour of the West Indies. In a match curtailed to 47 overs a side, India batted first. Kapil, who came to the crease with the score reading 152/2 when Gavaskar was run out for 90, unleashed an array of attacking shots in a 38-ball 72, including 3 sixes and 7 fours before he was bowled by Roberts. In reply to India’s score of 282, the West Indies could only manage 255/9 in their allotted overs.