The Indian Premier League is regarded by many as the best T20 league on the planet, not just because the best cricketers on the planet play in this tournament, but also because the tournament helps the young cricketers share the stage with the big names. Many times, fans have seen in the IPL that an uncapped player outshines an international legend.
Quite a few uncapped cricketers have played at the international level after they impressed in the Indian Premier League. Interestingly, there have been multiple instances in the IPL history when an uncapped player scored a half-century in just 20 balls. It is not everyone’s cup of tea, but the following three uncapped stars accomplished the feat.
3. Deepak Hooda – 20 balls, IPL 2021
Punjab Kings all-rounder Deepak Hooda looked in terrific touch during the first match of his team in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League. Playing against his former team Rajasthan Royals, Hooda relentlessly destroyed the RR bowling attack to complete his half-century off 20 deliveries. He came out to bat at number four and blasted a 28-ball 64. He smacked four fours and six sixes. Thanks to his half-century, PBKS got off to a winning start in IPL 2021.
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal – 19 balls, the Fastest fifty by an uncapped player in IPL 2021
While Deepak Hooda started the season with a 20-ball fifty against RR, Rajasthan’s opener Yashasvi Jaiswal broke his record with a splendid 19-ball half-century against the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021. Playing at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Jaiswal destroyed the likes of Josh Hazlewood to complete his half-century in just 19 balls. While Jaiswal could not score more after completing his fifty, his innings ensured that the winning streak of CSK in IPL 2021 ended.
1. Ishan Kishan – 17 balls, IPL 2018
Fastest 50s by uncapped players in IPL
17b – Ishan Kishan (2018)
19b – Yashasvi Jaiswal (2021)*
20b – Deepak Hooda (2021)
22b – Deepak Hooda (2015)
22b – Krunal Pandya (2016)#CSKvsRRAdvertisement— S H E B A S (@Shebas_10) October 2, 2021
Ishan Kishan, who is a part of the Indian T20 World Cup 2021 squad, scored a 17-ball half-century for the Mumbai Indians when he was an uncapped player. It happened back in the year 2018 in a match against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens. Kishan scored a 21-ball 62, smashing five fours and six sixes to help MI record a 102-run victory against KKR.
