Fastest Fifties in IPL history
On 6 April, in match 14 of IPL 2022, Australian Test captain Pat Cummins equalled the IPL record of the fastest half-century, off just 14 balls. Playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders against the Mumbai Indians, he remained unbeaten on the night on 56 off just 15 balls, featuring six sixes and four fours. The bowler he took a particular liking to was fellow Australian Daniel Sams, pummelling him for 35 in one over.
The man he shares the record with is K.L. Rahul, now captain of the Lucknow Super Giants. Rahul was playing for the Punjab Kings in 2018 against the Delhi Capitals when he made 51 of 16 balls including four sixes, six fours, a single and a dot ball.
Just behind the pair are Yusuf Pathan and Sunil Narine who managed the feat in 15 balls. Yusuf was the first to do it, and he managed it in a high pressure situation with his KKR side requiring to chase down 161 to guarantee a second spot in the table and double their chances of reaching the final.
Pathan rose to the occasion, smashing 72 off just 22 balls, including a 15 ball 50. Thanks largely to his efforts, Kolkata reached their target with an over to spare.
Three years later another Kolkata player, Narine, emulated his achievement. Together with Chris Lynn, he demolished the RCB attack, scoring 100 in just six overs. Narine’s 50 came off just 15 balls, and Kolkata won with six wickets and almost five overs in hand.
Fastest Centuries in IPL History
Yusuf also holds the record for the second-fastest century in IPL history, against Mumbai Indians in 2010. He made exactly 100 off 37 balls, including eight sixes and nine fours.
However, that shrinks in comparison with the fastest which belongs to Chris Gayle laying for RCB against the Pune Warriors India in 2013.
Gayle set a number of records that day that may never be beaten. The highest individual score (175*), the most sixes in an innings (17), and and the fastest century (30 balls).
And in the process, RCB’s total that day, 263/5, is in itself a record for the highest total posted in the IPL (Gayle was responsible for two-thirds of them).