In a stunning display of cricketing prowess, Yashasvi Jaiswal of the Rajasthan Royals smashed the fastest fifty in Indian Premier League (IPL) history during the match against the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Thursday. Jaiswal’s half-century came off just 13 balls, breaking the previous record held jointly by KL Rahul and Pat Cummins who had achieved the feat in 14 balls each.
Jaiswal, the 21-year-old opener, was in scintillating form, as he led his team to a nine-wicket victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders. The win has revived the Royals’ hopes of making it to the playoffs, with the team now sitting in third place with 12 points from 12 matches. The Knight Riders, on the other hand, slipped to seventh place with 10 points from the same number of matches.
It was a day when the Kolkata Knight Riders struggled to time the ball, with only a few of their batters making any significant contributions. However, Yuzvendra Chahal, playing for the Rajasthan Royals, had a spectacular day, as he became the IPL’s leading wicket-taker before finishing with figures of 4/25. The Knight Riders managed to score only 149/8, which was below par, especially considering the strength of the Royals’ batting lineup.
Jaiswal, who has been in excellent form in the IPL, continued his sensational run by scoring 98 runs off just 47 balls, which included 12 fours and five sixes. He was ably supported by Sanju Samson, who scored 48 not out off 29 balls, as the duo put together an unbroken partnership of 121 runs off just 69 balls. The Royals reached their target with 41 balls to spare, giving their net run rate a significant boost in the process.
Jaiswal’s innings were widely praised by cricket fans and experts alike, with KL Rahul, who held the previous record for the fastest fifty, leading the tributes on social media. The young opener’s performance was all the more impressive given that he had struggled for runs in the earlier matches of the tournament.
The Rajasthan Royals will now be hoping to continue their winning streak as they look to secure a spot in the playoffs, while the Kolkata Knight Riders will need to regroup and come back stronger if they hope to salvage their season. With the IPL entering its final stages, the competition is sure to heat up, and fans can expect more thrilling performances from the best players in the world.