Indian domestic cricket witnessed an extraordinary display of power-hitting as Meghalaya batter Akash Kumar Choudhary created history by smashing the fastest first-class fifty ever recorded. The remarkable feat occurred during a Ranji Trophy Plate Group match against Arunachal Pradesh at the Mulan Cricket Ground in Assam.
Historic Batting Performance
The 22-year-old cricketer achieved what seemed impossible by reaching his half-century in just nine deliveries, breaking a long-standing record in first-class cricket. Choudhary's incredible innings came on November 9, 2025, during Meghalaya's second innings where they were looking to set a challenging target.
What made his achievement even more spectacular was his sequence of eight consecutive sixes. The young batter took apart the Arunachal Pradesh bowling attack with absolute dominance, clearing the boundary with remarkable consistency. His explosive batting display left spectators and fellow players in absolute awe.
Breaking Long-Standing Records
Choudhary's nine-ball fifty shattered the previous record for the fastest first-class fifty, which stood at 11 balls. The record was previously shared by several players including India's Rishabh Pant, who had achieved the feat in 2016. This new benchmark establishes Choudhary as having the quickest half-century in the 140-year history of first-class cricket.
The right-handed batter remained unbeaten on 53 runs from just 10 balls, maintaining a staggering strike rate of 530. His brief but devastating innings included eight massive sixes and one four, completely changing the complexion of the match within a matter of minutes.
Context and Match Situation
The record-breaking performance came at a crucial juncture in the match. Meghalaya had declared their second innings at 290 for 6, setting Arunachal Pradesh a target of 391 runs to win. Choudhary's explosive contribution provided the final push that gave his team a commanding position in the game.
This historic achievement occurred in the Plate Group of the Ranji Trophy, which features newer teams and associate members of the Indian cricket circuit. The match was being played at the rural venue of Mulan Cricket Ground, making the feat even more significant as it emerged from a relatively modest cricketing setting.
Impact on Domestic Cricket
Choudhary's record-shattering innings has sent shockwaves through the Indian domestic cricket community. It demonstrates the emerging talent in India's smaller cricketing centers and highlights how the expansion of first-class cricket to newer teams is bearing fruit.
The performance has immediately put the young Meghalaya cricketer on the radar of national selectors and IPL franchises. Such explosive batting displays, especially in the longer format of the game, are rare and indicate special talent that could potentially translate to higher levels of cricket.
This historic innings serves as inspiration for cricketers from non-traditional cricket centers across India, proving that records can be broken from any platform. The Ranji Trophy has once again proven to be a breeding ground for exceptional talent and unforgettable cricketing moments.
