IPL 2021: 5 Batsmen Who Can Break KL Rahul's Record Of Fastest Fifty

Punjab Kings skipper KL Rahul has risen as one of the most formidable opening batsmen in the past few years. Ever since he joined the Punjab Kings in IPL 2018, KL Rahul has become consistent in scoring runs and, at times, carrying the batting single-handedly on his shoulders. It was also with the Punjab Kings that the classy right-handed batsman scored the fastest fifty of IPL.

The Karnataka-born cricketer reached his half-century off only 14 balls against the Delhi Daredevils in 2018 in Mohali. Since then, Yusuf Pathan has been the closest to get there when the all-rounder did so against the SunRisers Hyderabad for the Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring his fifty in 15 balls. But, despite the swashbuckling nature of the tournament, not many players have managed to get close to Rahul’s record.

We take a look at five players who could break KL Rahul’s record of fastest fifty in IPL 2021:

David Warner:

Former SunRisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner might not be in the supreme form in IPL 2021 he has displayed he was; he remains one of the most explosive openers. David Warner is the first overseas batsman to cross the 5000-run mark in IPL history and has accumulated 5447 runs in 148 innings at 42.22, keeping a strike rate of 140.13.

But the southpaw has looked off-colour in this year’s tournament, managing 193 runs in six games at 32.16, maintaining a poor strike rate of 110.28. While Warner’s availability remains doubtful as of now, if he participates, the 34-year old holds the potential to reach his fifty faster than 14 balls. Moreover, with the captaincy responsibility off his shoulders, he could prove a much more dangerous prospect for the bowlers.

Rishabh Pant:

Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant has emerged as one of the fearsome players in recent times. After asserting his authority in Test cricket, Rishabh Pant is on his way to conquering the limited-overs arena as well. While the southpaw might not have got plenty of time to bat in most innings, he has showcased his fireworks in his limited opportunities.

Pant ended the first leg of IPL 2021 with 213 runs in eight innings at 35.50, keeping a strike rate of 131.48. The 23-year old could most likely not serve as the skipper in the UAE leg of the tournament since Shreyas Iyer could return to lead the side. Hence, Iyer’s move to promote the keeper-batsman up the order could bring upon his most explosive knock.

Kieron Pollard:

Mumbai Indians all-rounder Kieron Pollard is one of the hardest hitters of the ball and crafted several game-changing knocks for the franchise. Kieron Pollard has been instrumental in Mumbai Indians’ dominance and consistently contributed to the franchise’s formidability over the years. The Trinidad & Tobago all-rounder scored the fastest fifty in IPL 2021.

Kieron Pollard reached his fifty off 17 balls against the Chennai Super Kings. The seam-bowling all-rounder eventually ended with an unbeaten 87 off 34 balls, laced with six fours and eight sixes as the defending champions chased down 219 successfully with four wickets to spare. Scoring fifty off 17 balls hints that Pollard could go two steps ahead in the UAE.

Prithvi Shaw:

Delhi Capitals opener Prithvi Shaw has been in terrific form in IPL 2021 after a forgettable season last year. Along with Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw has formed a formidable opening stand. Shaw ended the first leg of IPL 2021 with 308 runs in eight games at 38.50, maintaining a strike rate of 166.48 with three half-centuries to his name.

In this year’s lucrative league, the youngster also became the second batsman in IPL to smash six fours in an over. Shaw inflicted the misery on Kolkata Knight Riders’ Shivam Mavi, whose first over of the innings went for six boundaries and a wide in defense of 154. The 21-year old is a lot hungry for success and could take his explosive batting to the next level in the UAE.

AB de Villiers:

Royal Challengers Bangalore keeper-batsman AB de Villiers arguably remains the frontrunner to break KL Rahul’s record of 14-ball fifty. AB de Villiers has been a remarkable asset for the franchise ever since joining the Royal Challengers in 2011, crafting a host of game-changing and explosive innings. Despite the former South African captain not being an active international cricketer, he continues to be a fearsome prospect for the bowlers.

In IPL 2021, AB de Villiers became the second foreign batsman to complete 5000 runs in IPL and overall has 5056 runs in 176 innings at 40.77, keeping a strike rate of 152.38. De Villiers also struck at 164.28 in this year’s edition and has instilled fear amongst the bowlers, especially at death. Hence, the 37-year old, who bats at the middle order and has the fastest fifty in ODIs, has an excellent chance of doing it in IPL as well.

Also Read: Best XI Of Under 21 In World Cricket