In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, India’s opener Ishan Kishan rewrote the record books during the T20 World Cup 2026 clash against Namibia at Arun Jaitley Stadium. Facing just 20 balls, Kishan smashed his way to a sensational half-century, laced with 5 sixes and 6 fours, culminating in a brisk 61-run knock off 24 deliveries.
This wasn’t just any fifty. It marked the second time in T20I cricket that Kishan has notched up a half-century within the powerplay overs, a rare feat that catapults him to joint second place among Indians. Abhishek Sharma leads with three such innings, while Rohit Sharma shares the runner-up spot with two.
Kishan’s explosive start propelled India to a staggering 86/1 in the first six overs, the fourth-highest powerplay score in T20 World Cup history. West Indies hold the record with 92/1 against Afghanistan in 2024, followed by Netherlands’ 91/1 versus Ireland in 2014 and England’s 89/3 against South Africa in 2016.
Among the quickest T20 World Cup fifties by Indians, Kishan’s 20-ball effort ties him for fourth place with Yuvraj Singh’s iconic knock against Australia in 2007. Yuvraj tops the chart with a 12-ball fifty against England that same year, KL Rahul follows with 18 balls against Scotland in 2021, and Rohit Sharma hit 19 balls versus Australia in 2024.
Kishan becomes only the third Indian to score a powerplay fifty in T20 World Cups, joining Rahul (19 balls vs Scotland 2021) and Rohit (21 balls vs Australia 2024). His aggressive approach set the tone for India’s dominant performance, underscoring his growing stature as a white-ball powerhouse.