Surat, India – In an astonishing display of power hitting, Meghalaya's Akash Kumar Choudhary etched his name into cricket history on Sunday, November 9, 2025, by smashing the fastest fifty in First-Class cricket. During a Ranji Trophy Plate Group match against Arunachal Pradesh at the Pithwala Ground in Surat, the lower-order batsman annihilated the opposition's bowling attack, reaching his half-century in a mere 11 balls.
Kumar's record-breaking innings was characterized by an extraordinary barrage of sixes. He blasted eight consecutive sixes, including six in a single over, leaving spectators and cricket enthusiasts worldwide in awe. The unfortunate bowler on the receiving end of this onslaught was Arunachal Pradesh's left-arm spinner, Limar Dabi.
Coming in to bat at number 8 with the score at 576/6, Kumar wasted no time in asserting his dominance. With the top and middle order having already put Meghalaya in a commanding position, thanks to a double century from Arpit Bhatiwara and centuries from other batsmen, Kumar was given license to attack from the first ball. He propelled the score past 600, ultimately leading to Meghalaya declaring at 628/6. Kumar remained unbeaten on 50 off just 14 balls, an innings comprised solely of sixes, eight of them to be exact.
The previous record for the fastest First-Class fifty was held by Wayne White, who reached the milestone in 12 balls for Leicestershire against Essex in 2012. Kumar's incredible feat surpasses this by a single ball, solidifying his place in cricketing annals.
Adding another feather to his cap, Kumar also joined an elite club of cricketers who have hit six sixes in a single over in First-Class cricket. This puts him alongside Sir Garfield Sobers and Ravi Shastri, who achieved this rare feat in 1968 and 1985 respectively. However, Kumar stands alone as the only player to have struck eight consecutive sixes in a First-Class match.
Akash Kumar made his First-Class debut for Meghalaya in late 2019. Before this match, the 25-year-old had played in 30 First-Class matches and scored 503 runs, averaging 14.37. Primarily known as a bowling all-rounder, Kumar also opened the bowling for Meghalaya and took the first wicket in Arunachal Pradesh's second innings. This performance highlighted the emerging talent present in India's smaller cricketing states.
Kumar's explosive innings not only broke records but also significantly impacted the match. After reaching his record-breaking fifty, he faced three dot balls, bringing his carnage to a halt and prompting Meghalaya to declare. This allowed his team to capitalize on the strong position he helped create.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Domestic acknowledged Kumar's achievement, posting about it on social media.
