'You still can't get 50 off 12': Yuvraj Singh teases Abhishek Sharma after match-winning ton against NZ
Yuvraj Singh trolls Abhishek Sharma for not matching his 12-ball fifty record despite a stunning 113 against New Zealand.
In a delightful blend of mentorship and mischief, former Indian cricket legend Yuvraj Singh has taken a playful swipe at his former protege, Abhishek Sharma. The banter came after the explosive left-hander smashed a sensational century to lead India to a dominant victory over New Zealand in the third T20I.
The '12-Ball' Challenge
While Abhishek Sharma's performance at the Hnry Stadium was nothing short of breathtaking, Yuvraj Singh found one small detail to tease him about: the speed of his half-century. Yuvraj, who holds the world record for the fastest T20I fifty between Full Member nations—achieved in just 12 balls against England in 2007—noticed that Abhishek took 15 balls to reach the milestone.
Taking to Instagram, Yuvraj shared a photo of the two left-handers and wrote: "You still can't get 50 off 12 can you @abhisheksharma_4! Looks like two left handers batting in their backyard! @vaibhav_sooryavanshi09."
A Masterclass in Power Hitting
Despite the teasing, Abhishek's innings was a clinic in aggressive batting. He hammered 113 runs off just 38 deliveries, a knock that included 11 towering sixes and nine boundaries. He reached his century in a mere 35 balls, marking his fourth T20I hundred.
This feat places Abhishek in an elite group of batters with four T20I centuries, alongside stars like Suryakumar Yadav, Phil Salt, and Karanbir Singh, trailing only Glenn Maxwell and Rohit Sharma, who lead with five each. Across all men's T20 cricket, Abhishek now has 11 centuries, closing in on the likes of Babar Azam (13) and Chris Gayle (22).
The Teenage Sensation and a Dominant Chase
Abhishek wasn't alone in the carnage. He was supported by 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who provided a blistering start with 45 runs off 19 balls, including four sixes and four fours. The duo shared a devastating opening partnership of 133 runs in just 7.1 overs, leaving the New Zealand bowlers shell-shocked.
Chasing a target of 199, India made the pursuit look effortless, crossing the finish line in just 13.2 overs. The six-wicket victory gave India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, with 40 balls still remaining on the clock.
Yuvraj's Heartfelt Praise
Moving from trolling to admiration, Yuvraj later took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate the team and acknowledge the individual brilliance on display. He jokingly admitted his own limitations while praising Abhishek's ability to score quickly.
"And I can’t make 100 of 30 or 34 balls 😜 Well played sir @OfficialAbhi04 ! Great innings aur apne single bhi le liye 🤷🏻♂️ Good stuff on the other end by #VaibhavSooryavanshi! Devastating combination! Hats off to @IamSanjuSamson, playing at no. 3 as a complete team man! Well-bowled by our bowlers to keep the score under 200! Great series win 👌 congratulations Team India 🇮🇳"
Yuvraj also highlighted the tactical flexibility of Sanju Samson for playing at number three and praised the Indian bowling attack for restricting New Zealand to 198, setting the stage for one of the most aggressive chases in recent T20 history.