11-ball fury! Meghalaya’s Akash Kumar smashes fastest fifty in first-class cricket history

New Delhi: In a Ranji Trophy Plate Group clash against Arunachal Pradesh in Surat, Meghalaya's Akash Kumar created history as he smashed the fastest fifty ever recorded in first-class cricket. He reached the milestone in just 11 deliveries.

Meghalaya declared their innings at a mammoth 628 for six but all the buzz was around Akash's breathtaking cameo. He stayed unbeaten on 50 off just 14 deliveries. His knock was packed with raw aggression and clean hitting. His innings included eight sixes, out of which six came in a single over.

With that blazing fifty, the 25-year-old right-hander broke a 12-year-old record previously held by Wayne White of Leicestershire. White had reached his half-century in just 12 balls against Essex back in 20212. Akash went one better, rewriting the record books and adding his name alongside some of the most explosive batters to ever play the game. Not just that he also became the first player to hit eight consecutive sixes in first-class cricket. 

It wasn’t just a personal milestone rather it was a statement from Meghalaya’s batting unit, who have made a habit of producing remarkable moments in domestic cricket. The team’s commanding total against Arunachal Pradesh underlined their dominance in the contest and Akash’s innings provided the perfect touch to the same.

The ongoing Ranji Trophy season has already delivered its share of jaw-dropping feats. Earlier, Bihar's 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, became the youngest player to feature in the tournament after delivering spectacular performance in the IPL. Meanwhile, Goa's Kashyap Bakle and Snehal Kauthankar stitched together a record-breaking 606-run partnership, marking the highest ever in Ranji Trophy history.

And now, Akash's 11-ball fifty has joined the list of remarkable achievements, adding a new chapter to Indian domestic cricket. It's not often that a player spends a few minutes on the crease and rewrites decades of history but Akash managed to do the same on Sunday.