Fastest Fifties in IPL History

T20 cricket has traditionally been dominated by batters. And the Indian Premier League (IPL) is no different in terms of players and their ball-striking ability. Despite some of the best bowlers featuring in the IPL, there are times when batters can go berserk with the bat. It is seemingly impossible to prevent the flow of runs as boundaries and sixes become the order of the day. Such occurrences have unfolded on many occasions in the IPL, especially when a player registers the fastest fifty in an IPL season. 

Here, we discuss the top 5 fastest fifties in IPL history:

List of Fastest Fifties in IPL
Player Balls Opposition Venue Year
KL Rahul (Punjab) 14 Delhi Capitals PCA Stadium, Mohali IPL 2018
Pat Cummins (Kolkata) 14 Mumbai Indians Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium IPL 2022
Yusuf Pathan (Kolkata) 15 Sunrisers Hyderabad Eden Gardens IPL 2014
Sunil Narine (Kolkata) 15 Royal Challengers Bangalore M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru IPL 2017
Suresh Raina (Chennai) 16 Punjab Kings Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai IPL 2014
5. Suresh Raina (16 balls vs PBKS, 2014)
Suresh Raina IPL
Raina registered the fastest IPL fifty for CSK in IPL 2014

Playing for a place in the IPL Final 2014, Suresh Raina played one of the most prolific IPL innings against Punjab in Qualifier 2 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. While chasing a big target of 227, Raina came out to bat at number three for CSK. He played a terrific knock of 87 runs in 25 balls with a strike rate of 348.

Suresh Raina would be fifth in the standings when it comes to the IPL fastest 50s. He has been able to hit a half-century in just 16 balls at the Wankhede Stadium in 2014. Even with this impressive performance, Chennai Super Kings were unable to capitalize and pick up a victory. Raina came up with an impressive 12 boundaries while also hitting 6 sixes along the way.

4. Sunil Narine (15 balls vs RCB, 2017) 
Sunil Narine Fastest IPL fifty
Narine scored 54 runs in his 17-ball stay at the crease against RCB in 2017

Kolkata Knight Riders, under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir, managed to utilize the batting potential of Sunil Narine quite efficiently in the IPL. The Caribbean all-rounder to open the innings against RCB as a pinch hitter in IPL 2017. Narine was equal to the task as he smashed the RCB bowlers to all parts of the ground. Surprisingly, Narine also equalled the record for the then fastest fifty in the IPL. He used only 15 balls to reach his maiden IPL fifty. His attacking knock in the powerplay took away the game from Kohli-led RCB and completed the chase inside 15 overs.

Sunil Narine would be fourth in the standings when it comes to the IPL fastest 50s. Narine finished with impressive innings that produced 54 runs in just 17 balls. Kolkata capitalized on this impressive performance to pick up a victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore. Narine came up with an impressive 12 boundaries while also hitting 6 sixes along the way.

3. Yusuf Pathan (15 balls vs SRH, 2014)
Yusuf Pathan IPL
Yusuf Pathan scored a 15-ball fifty against SRH in IPL 2014 (Source: BCCI/IPL)

In their last league match in IPL 2014, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) opted to field first against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). In order to finish in the first two spots in the Points Table, KKR had the task of chasing the total inside 15.2 overs.

Yusuf Pathan continues to remain on the list of the top five of the fastest fifties in IPL. His strike in 2014 was sufficient to produce a lot of fireworks at the Eden Gardens. The innings witnessed 5 boundaries and seven sixes as well. The likes of Jason Holder and Dale Steyn were sent to a boundary quite easily. Pathan went on to hit a remarkable 72 runs in the innings and he took only 22 balls to reach the feat. Initially, this was the fastest 50 in the IPL and it was able to stay on top of the standings until 2017.

2. Pat Cummins (14 balls vs MI, 2022)
(Image Source: BCCI)

Pat Cummins was able to enter into the record books of the IPL after coming up with the second fastest 50 in the history of the competition. The Mumbai Indian bowlers were taken for a toss in an impressive performance that helped Kolkata Knight Riders pick up a five-wicket haul. The record held by KL Rahul has been able to stand the test of time, but Cummins has moved level on points after the impressive strike at the MCA Stadium located in Pune.

1. KL Rahul (14 balls vs DC, 2018) 
KL Rahul IPL
Rahul holds the record for fastest fifty in the IPL  (Image Source: BCCI)

KL Rahul holds the current record for the fastest fifty in IPL. The opener took the attack to the Delhi new ball bowlers in the powerplay. Rahul's whirlwind innings propelled Punjab to a rollicking start in the season. The home team registered an easy win over Delhi by 6 wickets. It was a dream year for the 29-year-old as he ended the season with a mammoth tally of 659 runs in the season.

This record has been able to stand the test of time for several years now. Despite IPL witnessing a lot of high-scoring matches, the performance from KL Rahul against the Delhi Daredevils remains quite impressive even now. Rahul was able to achieve this impressive number after hitting six boundaries and four sixes. Rahul was able to finish the innings with 51 runs and the record is so good that it still stands now at the top of the table.

Honourable Mentions

1. Ishan Kishan (Mumbai Indians)

Ishan Kishan made it to a half-century in just 16 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kishan was able to dismantle the SRH bowlers in style as Mumbai Indians were able to get a comfortable victory, although it did not help them in the playoffs. Kishan ended up with 84 runs at the end of the innings from just 32 balls. His innings finally came to an end courtesy of Umran Malik.

2. Chris Gayle (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Chris Gayle is one of the heavy hitters in the world of cricket. He has been able to hit several great innings over the years and one of his best IPL matches was at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in 2013 when he was able to hit a half-century in just 17 balls against Pune Warriors India. The match witnessed an incredible 175 runs for Gayle in just 66 balls and this remains the top scorer by any IPL player so far. The innings included 13 boundaries and 17 sixes. This impressive performance helped Royal Challengers Bangalore post an incredible total of 263 runs, which remains the highest score of any IPL team.

Last Updated: 14/11/24