‘Just want to win matches for team’: Abhishek Sharma responds to Yuvraj Singh’s ‘No 12-ball 50’ jibe

Abhishek Sharma Answers Yuvraj Singh After Record-Breaking Century Against New Zealand

Abhishek Sharma produced a breathtaking performance in the third T20I against New Zealand, powering India to a commanding victory with a 113-run innings from just 38 deliveries. The explosive opener’s century reshaped the chase and sparked a playful exchange with his mentor, former India star Yuvraj Singh, who challenged him to reach an even faster milestone: a half-century in 12 balls.

Sharma’s response was measured but clear. While he acknowledged how difficult such a feat would be, he stressed that his priority is helping India win—not chasing personal records. The exchange captured the mix of humour, ambition and team-first thinking behind one of the most memorable performances of the series.

Yuvraj Singh Teases His Protégé Over the 12-Ball Fifty

Sharma reached his half-century in 15 balls, setting the tone for an innings that kept New Zealand’s bowlers under pressure from the outset. After the match, Yuvraj took to X to praise the two left-handed Indian openers, Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, while joking that his student had fallen just short of a remarkable benchmark.

“You still can’t get 50 off 12, can you, Abhishek Sharma! Looks like two left-handers batting in their backyard!” Yuvraj wrote.

The tease carried special significance because Yuvraj knows exactly what it takes to score at that pace. He holds the record for the fastest half-century in T20 World Cup history, reaching 50 in just 12 balls against England in Durban in 2007. That innings is also remembered for his six sixes in one over off Stuart Broad—a landmark moment in international T20 cricket.

Yuvraj’s message was therefore more than a light-hearted post. It was a nod to Sharma’s extraordinary hitting and a reminder of the high standards set by one of India’s most destructive left-handed batters.

Sharma Says Team Victory Matters More Than Personal Records

Asked about Yuvraj’s post after the match, Sharma responded with a smile and a realistic assessment of the challenge. He said that scoring a half-century in 12 balls is exceptionally difficult for any batter, regardless of their ability or confidence.

“I don’t know what cricket Yuvi pa was playing at the time. If anyone wants to go out and bat like that, it is not easy. It is not easy to get a fifty in 12 balls, but we do not think about that; we want to just win the match for our team,” Sharma said.

The comment reflected the approach that has made him such an exciting presence in India’s T20 setup. His game is built around quick scoring and bold stroke-making, but the response also showed an awareness that individual milestones matter less than the result. For India, the innings was valuable not simply because it produced a century, but because it turned a demanding chase into a decisive win.

New Zealand Set India a Challenging Target

New Zealand finished their innings on 198 for three after being asked to bat first. Their start was briefly disrupted when opener Tim Seifert was dismissed, but Finn Allen and Daryl Mitchell steadied the innings and then accelerated against the Indian attack.

Allen made 40 from 25 balls, providing early momentum before his dismissal. Mitchell took charge in the middle and late stages, remaining unbeaten on 89 from 52 deliveries. He found support from Bevon Jacobs as New Zealand added valuable runs through the closing overs.

A target close to 200 can place significant pressure on a chasing side, especially when the opposition has multiple batting options and enough overs to attack. India, however, approached the chase with an aggressive plan. The team management opened with Sharma and Sooryavanshi, moving Sanju Samson to No. 3 and giving the left-handed pair the opportunity to exploit the powerplay.

India’s Openers Turned the Chase on Its Head

The opening partnership changed the contest rapidly. Sharma and Sooryavanshi attacked from the beginning, forcing New Zealand to adjust their field placements and search for control. Their scoring rate surged during the powerplay, putting India in a strong position before the chase had reached its midpoint.

Sooryavanshi contributed 45 from 19 balls, making the most of his time at the crease before falling in the eighth over. By then, India had already reached 133, leaving the visitors with little room to defend their total comfortably. His brisk innings complemented Sharma’s more sustained assault and ensured the pressure did not ease when the first wicket fell.

India lost four wickets during the chase, but Sharma remained in control. His 113 from 38 balls combined clean striking with relentless scoring, leaving New Zealand’s bowlers with few opportunities to slow the innings. The result was a successful pursuit of a substantial target and a performance that underlined India’s depth in the shortest format.

What Sharma’s Innings Means for India’s T20 Plans

Sharma’s knock offers plenty for India to consider as the five-match T20I series continues. His ability to attack early can reshape a chase before the middle overs, while his speed at the crease gives the rest of the batting order greater freedom. The innings also highlighted the value of pairing aggressive openers: one can keep the scoring rate high while the other builds an innings capable of lasting deeper into the chase.

The match may also influence future team-selection discussions. With several players competing for places and batting positions, performances of this scale strengthen Sharma’s case as a key part of India’s T20 plans. At the same time, the team’s flexible order—shown by Samson moving to No. 3—demonstrates how India can adapt its lineup to suit match conditions and opposition bowling.

Prediction: A High Bar for the Rest of the Series

Sharma’s century has raised expectations for the remaining matches, but it would be unrealistic to expect such a spectacular score every time. T20 cricket is shaped by conditions, matchups and small changes in momentum. Still, his form gives India a powerful platform, and New Zealand will need a sharper plan in the powerplay if they hope to limit his impact in the next game.

For now, the 12-ball fifty remains Yuvraj Singh’s playful challenge rather than Sharma’s next stated target. The young batter has made his priorities clear: attack when the situation allows, keep the team’s needs in focus and measure success by the result. Against New Zealand, that approach delivered a remarkable century—and a victory that will be remembered well beyond the friendly exchange between mentor and student.