Abhishek Sharma’s 12-Ball Fifty Sets Domestic T20 Ablaze

In a remarkable display of power batting, Abhishek Sharma tore into the bowling of Bengal during their domestic T20 encounter, reaching fifty in just 12 balls. In doing so, he joined an elite group — this is only the fifth time a T20 batter has hit a fifty in 12 deliveries, and ranks as the joint-second fastest by an Indian.

His assault featured a barrage of boundaries — five fours and as many sixes — achieved with hardly a pause: in those 12 balls, he conceded only one dot ball. 

From the very first delivery, Sharma looked intent on domination. The 12-ball fifty not only stunned spectators but also made a statement: this innings wouldn’t be a typical quick cameo — it was going to be something special.

Relentless Momentum: Century in 32 Balls & Final Score

Sharma didn’t let up after his rapid fifty. He carried on with ferocious intent and reached his century in just 32 balls — a milestone that ranks as the third-fastest T20 hundred by an Indian. During that blitz, he struck a flurry of boundaries: 11 sixes and seven fours, utterly dominating Bengal’s bowling attack. 

Eventually, his knock concluded at an astonishing 148 runs off just 52 balls, before he was dismissed by Akash Deep. Alongside him, Prabhsimran Singh contributed a strong 70 off 35 balls as the opening pair set the stage. The final tally for Punjab stood at a staggering 310/5 in 20 overs — a total only bettered once in the history of the tournament. 

This innings wasn’t just energetic — it was methodical destruction. With calculated aggression, Sharma ensured that every over kept the scoreboard ticking until Punjab had posted one of the most formidable totals ever seen in the competition.

The Bigger Picture: Records, Comeback & Implications

Sharma’s innings against Bengal wasn’t just about personal milestones — it carried deeper significance. Having experienced a lean patch recently after returning to top-level domestic T20 cricket, this performance marked a sensational return to form for him as captain of Punjab. 

By smashing a 12-ball fifty and a 32-ball hundred in the same innings — and finishing with 148 — he broke and tied several records. His 12-ball fifty places him among only four other players ever to do so in T20 cricket globally. Meanwhile, his own tally of sixes for the calendar year swelled further, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most destructive batters in the Indian domestic circuit. 

Given the timing — with eyes on future selections — this knock could significantly bolster his case for inclusion in upcoming major T20 tournaments. For now, though, in this match he did more than just score runs: he took the game by storm.