India vs New Zealand T20 World  Cup 2026 Final: India national cricket team opener Abhishek Sharma scored a rapid half-century off just 18 balls during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final against the New Zealand national cricket team at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, March 8, 2026. The 25-year-old opener struck six boundaries and three sixes to give the India national cricket team a blazing start in the summit clash.

Sharma’s rapid half-century became the joint-third fastest in the history of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and the quickest fifty ever recorded in a knockout match of the competition.

Among Indian players, only Yuvraj Singh has scored a faster half-century in the tournament. Yuvraj famously reached the milestone in just 12 balls against England during the inaugural 2007 edition.

Sharma eventually fell for 52 runs after being dismissed by Rachin Ravindra, but his aggressive knock provided India with a strong start in the high-stakes final at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

The fastest half-century in T20 World Cup history remains Yuvraj Singh’s 12-ball effort against England in 2007. Other notable rapid fifties include Stephan Myburgh’s 17-ball knock for the Netherlands against Ireland in 2014 and Marcus Stoinis’ 17-ball half-century for Australia against Sri Lanka in 2022. Glenn Maxwell, KL Rahul and Shoaib Malik have also recorded 18-ball fifties in the tournament, with Sharma now joining that list with his explosive innings in the 2026 final.