Meghalaya batsman Akash Kumar Choudhary made history by scoring the fastest fifty in First-Class cricket in just 11 balls. The incident occurred during Meghalaya’s ongoing Ranji Trophy Plate Group match versus Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday at the C K Pithawala Ground in Surat.
The Ranji Trophy Plate Group has recently become a showcase for record-breaking performances. From Bihar’s Vaibhav Suryavanshi becoming the youngest Ranji player ever to Goa’s Kashyap Bakle and Snehal Kauthankar forming the highest-ever 606-run partnership, the division has regularly produced outstanding performances.
Meanwhile, Akash Kumar not only shattered the Ranji Trophy record, but also the world First-Class mark for the fastest half-century.
Coming in during the conclusion of Meghalaya’s first innings, the hitter got all out against the Arunachal bowlers. His 50 came off just 11 balls, breaking the previous mark of 12 achieved by England’s Wayne White for Leicestershire against Essex in 2012.
Akash finished unbeaten on 50 runs off 14 deliveries, including eight consecutive sixes and an over of six sixes. His hitting helped Meghalaya declare their innings at 628 for six.
Earlier in the innings, Meghalayans Arpit Bhatewara (207) and R. Dalal (144) got all out. But it was Akash’s cameo that pushed the total past 600. Akash’s record now leads the list of fastest fifties in First-Class cricket.
Fastest fifties in First-Class matches:
11 balls – Akash Kumar Choudhary (Meghalaya vs Arunachal Pradesh, Surat, 2025)
12 balls – Wayne White (Leicestershire vs Essex, 2012)
13 balls – Michael van Vuuren (Eastern Province B vs Griqualand West, 1984/85)
14 balls – Ned Eckersley (Leicestershire vs Essex, 2012)
15 balls – Bandeep Singh (Jammu & Kashmir vs Tripura, 2015/16)
India
