Yuvraj Singh’s record for the fastest fifty in limited overs cricket has stood for almost a decade now, a notable achievement in an age when hard-hitting batsmen ensure that no batting record survives for too long. It came under threat on Monday, however, as Chris Gayle equalled his record.
Yuvraj had brought up a 12-ball 50 in 2007, a record that has proved impossible to breach. In a Big Bash League match on Monday, Melbourne Renegades’ Gayle also brought up his fifty in 12 balls.
He hit seven sixes and two fours in his innings of 56 off 17 balls. Four of those sixes came in the first over of the match as Greg West was smashed all over the ground for 27 runs in his first over. The 36-year-old was 44 off 10 balls and looked set to break the record, but was denied sole propriety of the fastest fifty record by a brilliant yorker.
The true sportsman that he is, Yuvraj does not begrudge Gayle equalling his record. Instead, he expressed disappointment that the big man could not beat the record. In fact, Yuvraj said that he wants to see Gayle getting to the mark in ten balls the next time he sets himself up.
He also said that another legend, AB de Villiers, is capable of breaching his record.
While De Villiers did not respond, Gayle retweeted Yuvraj, contributing a few smileys. Gayle and De Villiers’ Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate Yuzvendra Chahal, a leg spinner who usually comes very low in the batting order, however, came up with the most ambitious retort.
He said that if there was anybody capable of reaching fifty in 10 balls, it was only him.
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