Ravichandran Ashwin has thrown his full support behind Abhishek Sharma, backing the young Indian opener to eventually surpass Yuvraj Singh’s iconic record for the fastest half-century in T20I cricket. The 25-year-old came tantalisingly close during the third T20I against New Zealand at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday, January 25, where he brought up his fifty in just 14 deliveries.

Yuvraj Singh’s legendary 12-ball half-century against England during the 2007 T20 World Cup in Durban remains the fastest in T20I history and is widely regarded as one of the most defining knocks of the format. While Abhishek fell short by two balls, his effort underlined the fearless, high-impact approach that has quickly made him one of India’s most exciting white-ball batters.

Speaking after the match, Abhishek described breaking Yuvraj’s record as “almost impossible,” a comment that Ashwin felt reflected humility rather than reality. On his YouTube channel, the former India spinner insisted that Abhishek has the talent and mindset to challenge that long-standing milestone.

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“Our friend Abhishek Sharma said it’s very difficult to beat Yuvraj paaji’s 12-ball fifty. I think he’s being too humble. Someone will beat that record in the future, and I genuinely believe it will be Abhishek Sharma,” Ravichandran Ashwin said, confidently backing the youngster to push the limits of T20 batting.

Ashwin also highlighted Abhishek’s rare ability to trust his instincts and maintain an ultra-aggressive approach, even when wickets tumble at the other end. According to Ashwin, what truly sets Abhishek apart is the ease with which he clears the boundary, often without middling the ball.

“He’s batting at a ridiculous level in the powerplay. Even mishits are flying for sixes because of his bat swing and power. In Guwahati, he hit a straight six off the bottom of the bat and still cleared the ropes comfortably. That tells you everything,” Ravichandran Ashwin explained.

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With his fearless intent, explosive bat speed, and growing confidence at the international level, Abhishek Sharma is fast redefining what’s possible in T20I cricket. If his current trajectory continues, Ashwin’s prediction about Yuvraj Singh’s record may not sound far-fetched for much longer.