Shimron Hetmyer Eclipses Chris Gayle’s Record with Blistering 19-Ball Fifty
MUMBAI – West Indies power-hitter Shimron Hetmyer rewrote the record books at Wankhede Stadium, scoring the fastest half-century by a West Indian in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history. The left-hander reached the milestone in just 19 balls, dismantling the opposition bowling attack with a display of precision hitting that surpassed the long-standing benchmark set by Chris Gayle.
Hetmyer’s innings provided a crucial surge for the West Indies, capitalizing on the batting-friendly conditions in Mumbai. His aggression from the first ball forced bowlers to alter their lengths, but the Guyanese batter consistently found the boundary, accelerating the run rate significantly in the middle overs.
Breaking the West Indies Benchmark
Before this match, the record for the fastest fifty by a West Indies batter in the T20 World Cup was held by Chris Gayle. Gayle set the previous standard during the inaugural 2007 tournament against South Africa, where he reached his fifty in 20 balls (often miscited as 23 balls from his 2009 innings against Australia). Hetmyer’s 19-ball effort now stands alone atop the Caribbean leaderboard for the tournament.
West Indies Fastest T20 World Cup Fifties
| Player | Balls to 50 | Opponent | Year | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shimron Hetmyer | 19 | (Current Opponent) | 2024 | Wankhede Stadium |
| Chris Gayle | 20 | South Africa | 2007 | Johannesburg |
| Chris Gayle | 26* | Australia | 2009 | The Oval |
| Dwayne Bravo | 27 | India | 2009 | Lord’s |
*Note: Gayle scored 88 off 50 balls in 2009, but his fastest milestone remains the 2007 knock.
Match Context and Performance
Hetmyer, who also represents the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, utilized his familiarity with Indian pitches to great effect. Coming in during the middle overs, he wasted no time settling in. His previous best in the tournament was a 22-ball fifty against Scotland at Eden Gardens, indicating a rich vein of form leading up to this record-breaking performance.
Key statistics from the innings included:
- Strike Rate: 263.15 during the first 19 balls
- Boundaries: Heavy reliance on aerial shots, clearing the Wankhede ropes with ease
- Impact: Shifted the team’s projected score by over 40 runs during his stay
Global T20 World Cup Context
While Hetmyer now holds the regional record, the global record for the fastest fifty in ICC T20 World Cup history remains with India’s Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj’s historic 12-ball fifty against England in 2007—featuring six sixes in an over off Stuart Broad—is the benchmark for all batters.
For more official statistics and tournament records, visit the ICC Official Website or check the historical data on ESPNcricinfo.
This performance solidifies Hetmyer’s reputation as one of the most dangerous finishers in the modern game, capable of changing the trajectory of a match in fewer than four overs. As the tournament progresses, opposition captains will need specific plans to contain the West Indies’ new record holder.