Since it’s inception in 2008, the Indian Premier League has witnessed several breathtaking innings. Players like Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, Jos Buttler and Sunil Narine among others have played some of the tournament’s fastest knocks.
While centuries take away all the limelight, half centuries also play a crucial role in the shortest format, especially when they are achieved at remarkably quick strike rates. The record for the fastest half century in the IPL is held by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored one off just 13 balls in 2023.
Also Read: PSL Winners List from 2016 to 2024
Check out the complete list of the top 10 fastest 50 in the history of the IPL.
Fastest fifty in IPL – top 10 list
| Player | Balls | Match | Venue | Date |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 13 | Rajasthan Royals v Kolkata Knight Riders | Kolkata | 11 May 2023 |
| KL Rahul | 14 | Kings XI Punjab v Delhi Capitals | Mohali | 08 April 2018 |
| Pat Cummins | 14 | Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians | Pune | 06 April 2022 |
| Yusuf Pathan | 15 | Kolkata Knight Riders v Sunrisers Hyderabad | Kolkata | 24 May 2014 |
| Sunil Narine | 15 | Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bangalore | Bangalore | 07 May 2017 |
| Nicholas Pooran | 15 | Lucknow Super Giants v Royal Challengers Bangalore | Bengaluru | 10 April 2023 |
| Jake Fraser-McGurk | 15 | Delhi Capitals v Sunrisers Hyderabad | Delhi | 20 April 2024 |
| Jake Fraser-McGurk | 15 | Delhi Capitals v Mumbai Indians | Delhi | 27 April 2024 |
| Suresh Raina | 16 | Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab | Mumbai | 30 May 2014 |
| Ishan Kishan | 16 | Mumbai Indians v Sunrisers Hyderabad | Abu Dhabi | 8 October 2021 |
Yashasvi Jaiswal – 13 balls
In the IPL 2023 match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals, Yashasvi Jaiswal delivered a match winning innings. Chasing a target of 150, Jaiswal scored a quickfire 98* off just 47 balls, and in the process, he registered the fastest fifty in IPL history off just 13 balls. His innings included 12 fours and 5 sixes, leading Rajasthan Royals to a comprehensive 9-wicket victory. Captain Sanju Samson also contributed with a 29-ball 48. Jaiswal finished as the highest run-scorer for the Royals in 2023, with 625 runs across 14 matches at a strike rate of 163.61.
KL Rahul – 14 balls
Next on the list is Kings XI Punjab’s KL Rahul, who scored a half century in just 14 balls against the Delhi Capitals in 2018. He eventually finished on 51 off 16, studded with 6 fours and 4 sixes, at a strike rate of 318.75. This knock helped Punjab chase down a total of 167 in 18.5 overs. Karun Nair also contributed with a half century in the chase. Rahul was Punjab’s leading run-scorer in that edition of the IPL, with an impressive 659 runs across 14 innings at a strike rate of 158.41.
Pat Cummins – 14 balls
Before joining the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Pat Cummins represented Kolkata Knight Riders in one season of the IPL in 2022. It was during that season when he went all guns blazing with the bat, registering a fifty off just 14 balls against the Mumbai Indians. Chasing 162 to win, KKR wrapped up the game in less than 17 overs. Cummins’ eventual total was an unbeaten 56 off just 15 balls laced with four boundaries and six maximums. His knock came at a staggering strike rate of 373.33, taking all the bowlers to the cleaners.
Yusuf Pathan – 15 balls
Another Kolkata Knight Riders player in this list is Yusuf Pathan, who scored a half century off 15 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014. At one point, it seemed like KKR would go on to lose the match, but Pathan’s power-hitting changed the course of the proceedings. He finished on 72 off just 22 balls laced with five fours and seven sixes. His knock helped KKR chase down a total of 161 in only 14.2 overs. The Knights won the match by four wickets.
Sunil Narine – 15 balls
Sunil Narine, known for his mystery spin, transformed into a formidable opener under Gambhir’s captaincy. He scored a half century off 15 balls for KKR against RCB in 2017. Batting first, RCB posted a total of 158 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. KKR chased down this target in only 15.1 overs, courtesy Narine’s knock. Opening the batting alongside Chris Lynn, Narine scored a 17-ball 54 at a strike rate of 317.65. Narine’s contribution with the bat over the years added another dimension to his game, making him an invaluable asset for the three-time champions.
Nicholas Pooran – 15 balls
Following Narine on the list is another West Indian – Nicholas Pooran. The flamboyant batsman scored a half century off 15 balls for Lucknow Super Giants against RCB in IPL 2023. Batting first, RCB posted a total of 212/2 with Virat Kohli and du Plessis scoring 96 runs for the first wicket. In reply, LSG lost quick wickets before Marcus Stoinis and Pooran steadied the ship. Pooran scored 62 off just 19 balls with the help of four boundaries and seven huge sixes. Stoinis, on the other hand, scored 65 off 30. The match went down to the wire and LSG chased down the target in the last ball of their innings.
Jake Fraser-McGurk – 15 balls
Jake Fraser-McGurk, representing Delhi Capitals, delivered an explosive fifty off 15 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2024. Sunrisers Hyderabad, batting first, posted a massive target of 266 runs, and while the Delhi Capitals managed 199 runs in their chase and lost the match, they would have been happy with McGurk’s performance. He finished on 65 off just 18 balls with the help of five fours and seven maximums.
Jake Fraser-McGurk – 15 balls
In another remarkable display, Jake Fraser-McGurk hit a fifty off 15 balls for Delhi Capitals against Mumbai Indians in 2024. Opening the batting, McGurk scored 84 off just 27 balls with the help of 11 boundaries and 6 maximums. This knock, which came at a strike rate of 311.11, propelled the Capitals to a total of 257/4, which they successfully defended.
Suresh Raina – 16 balls
Suresh Raina, one of the most consistent performers in IPL history, scored a half century off 16 balls in the 2014 edition for CSK against Punjab Kings. Batting first, Punjab scored 226 for 6 after Virender Sehwag scored a marathon innings of 122 runs. In reply, CSK lost both of their openers early before Raina brought some momentum in their favour. He scored 87 off 25 balls laced with 12 boundaries and six maximums. However, this contribution was not enough as CSK eventually fell short of the target by 24 runs.
Ishan Kishan – 16 balls
The last entry on this list is Ishan Kishan, who scored a half century off 16 balls for Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2021. His 84 off 32 balls helped Mumbai post a total of 235 for the 9, with Suryakumar Yadav also making a contribution of 40-ball 82. In reply, the Sunrisers fell short of the target by 42 runs.
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FAQs
Who holds the record for the fastest 50 in IPL history?
The record for the fastest half century in the IPL is held by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored one off just 13 balls in 2023.
Who has scored the fastest century in IPL history?
Chris Gayle holds the record for the fastest century in IPL history, having scored one off just 30 balls against Pune Warriors India in 2013.
Who was the first batsman to score a century in the IPL?
The first batsman to score a century in the IPL was Brendon McCullum, who achieved the feat in the inaugural IPL match in 2008 while playing for KKR.
