Lucknow Super Giants batter Nicholas Pooran inspired fire to his team's chase against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 15th match of IPL 2023. Pooran hit a blasting fifty in 15 balls and provided the much-needed impetus after Marcus Stoinis' wicket in the 213-run chase. The LSG batter also hit the joint second-fastest fifty in the history of the tournament.
Pooran came in to bat at No.6 after the wicket of the dangerous-looking Marcus Stoinis. While Rahul was at the crease, he was not striking well and Pooran had a tough task. He smashed Karn Sharma on his second ball for a six and never looked back. He scored fifty off 15 balls as LSG hoped for a win. But after his and Ayush Badoni's wicket, the tail-enders helped LSG get over the line.
List of players with quickest fifties in IPL history
1. KL Rahul - The joint fastest fifty belongs to now LSG captain KL Rahul. The dashing opener smashed a 14-ball fifty when he was in Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in a match against Delhi Capitals in April 2018. Rahul hit a fifty against DC in the second innings when they chased 167 runs.
2. Pat Cummins - Aussie pacer and a handy batter Pat Cummins is tied with Rahul in the list of fastest fifties in the tournament. Cummins went berserk in a game against Mumbai Indians last season in 2022. He helped his team chase a 162-run target in 20 overs.
3. Yusuf Pathan - Former Indian player Yusuf Pathan scored a blistering fifty in Kolkata Knight Riders match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Pathan scored the joint second-fastest fifty as his side chased down the target of 161 in 2014.
4. Sunil Narine - West Indies star Narine has also smashed a fifty in 15 balls. Narine achieved the feat in his team- KKR's match against RCB in IPL 2017.
5. Nicholas Pooran - The West Indies batter Pooran now stands level with Narine and Pathan in the tally. He scored his blasting fifty in 15 balls against RCB.