IPL 2019: Five Fastest Half-Centuries in this Edition

The Indian Premier League (IPL) have stepped on to its 12th season and in all these years, we have seen ample records made by the cricketers. Moreover, we have witnessed those records get broken in a blink of an eye as the level of competition is on very high in this world-class franchise-based T20 tournament.

The 2019 IPL have also seen many records made with each passing game. The players have come out better than their past self in an attempt to make a mark. Moreover, a recent shift in the game have made it more favourable for the batters. They have utilised short grounds and heavy willows to clear the ropes with ease. In this edition as well, we have seen some powerful hitting from players of both Indian contingent and overseas cricketers.

The likes of Andre Russell, Hardik Pandya have muscled the ball giving it a tough time to the bowlers. They have struggled and have often looked clueless in front of some powerful hitting.

On that context, let us look at the fastest half-centuries in IPL 2019:

HARDIK PANDYA (17 balls)

Hardik Pandya played the best knock of his career against Kolkata Knight Riders on May 28 at the Eden Gardens. Chasing a mammoth target of 233 runs, Mumbai Indians had a worst start losing four wickets within 58 runs. This saw the arrival of Pandya in the middle who took the Kolkata crowd by storm.

He swung his hand hard at every delivery hitting six fours and nine towering sixes. Pandya’s knock of 91 runs from 31 balls was full of dominance and power-hitting. Meanwhile, in the process, Pandya registered the fastest half-century of the season so far. His fifty came in just 17 deliveries and the Knight Riders bowlers were clueless.

However, Pandya’s knock was not enough as Mumbai Indians fell short of 34 runs.

RISHABH PANT (18 balls)

Delhi Capitals wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant entered the elite list hitting a breathtaking fifty during Delhi’s tournament opener against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.

The southpaw scored an unbeaten 78 off 27 deliveries to power Delhi to 213 for 6 at the end of the 20 overs. Pant’s nerve-wracking knock included seven fours and sixes each and scored at a strike-rate of 288.80. During his carnage, the Delhi cricketer stroked his half-century in just 18 deliveries to find himself in the second spot in the list of fastest centuries.

Delhi defended the target against Mumbai to clinch off the tie by 37 runs.

ANDRE RUSSELL (21 balls)

Andre Russell has played a quite a lot of blinders in this edition of IPL for the Kolkata Knight Riders. However, Russell’s best knock came against the Royal Challengers Bangalore once again in his favourite grounds – Eden Gardens.

Chasing a mammoth target of 213 runs, Kolkata were struggling at 79 for four in 11.5 when Russell came in the middle. And by the time the big Jamaican left, Kolkata were only 17 runs short. Russell took only Bangalore bowlers stitching an eye-catching stand with Nitish Rana. They targeted Yuzvendra Chahal taking him for 45 runs in just three overs.

Russell scored 65 runs off just 25 balls before getting run out and in the process, brought his half-century off just 21 deliveries. However, his wicket changed the course of the game as Kolkata fell 10 runs short.

KIERON POLLARD (22 balls)

The veteran all-rounder who has represented Mumbai Indians for years now took over the baton of captaincy from Rohit Sharma. And Kieron Pollard truly led the team from the front in one of the historic run chases.

Mumbai lost quite a few wickets in pursuit of 198 runs. However, like many of their heist run chases over the years, it was Kieron Pollard, who stole the thunder. Promoting himself to no four, the big-hitter slammed everything at his disposal to make the impossible happen. He scored 83 runs off just 31 balls including ten sixes and three boundaries but failed to cross the line. During his knock, Pollard reached his half-century in style in just 22 balls making him the fourth-fastest to achieve in this season so far.

With 16 needed off the last six, Pollard struck a no-ball six of the first ball and followed it up with a four before getting out. Alzarri Joseph ensured that his countrymen’s effort doesn’t go in vain.

ANDRE RUSSEL (23 balls)

Andre Russell has been in fine form and has played some cracking innings in this edition of the IPL. Meanwhile, the innings he played against Delhi Capitals at the Feroz Shah Kotla helped Kolkata post a decent total and later on Delhi winning it in the Super Overs.

Russell walked out in the middle when Kolkata were reeling at 61 for five in 9.1 overs. He combined well with skipper Dinesh Karthik to hit everything out of the Kotla ground. His 28-ball 62 run knock included four boundaries and six towering sixes. In this process, Russell scaled his second fastest fifty of the season notching it in just 23 balls.

However, it was not enough for Kolkata Knight Riders as Delhi lost track, in the end, to take it to the Super Over before winning it.