Who is Akash Choudhary? 5 interesting facts about Meghalaya all-rounder who smashed the fastest first-class fifty in Ranji Trophy 2025-26

The ongoing 2025-26 Ranji Trophy witnessed a batting performance for the ages when Meghalaya all-rounder Akash Choudhary smashed the fastest first-class fifty in the Plate group clash against Arunachal Pradesh on November 9. Coming into bat at No. 8, the 25-year-old reached his half-century off a mere 11 deliveries.

Akash broke the previous record for the fastest first-class half-century off 12 deliveries by Leicestershire's Wayne White in 2012. It was also the second-fastest fifty in terms of time taken (matches with available data), reaching the milestone in only nine minutes.

His assault propelled Meghalaya to a massive 628/6 declared in the first innings and an eventual innings and 446-run victory. Along the way, Akash also broke other records, including becoming only the third player in first-class cricket to smash six maximums in an over after Sir Garfield Sobers and Ravi Shastri.

He also became the first and only player to smash eight consecutive sixes in first-class cricket.

As Akash Choudhary continues to grow in stature in the Indian domestic circuit, let us look at five interesting facts about him.

#1 The unique build-up to Akash Choudhary's record-breaking fifty

As rare as Akash Choudhary's record-breaking performance was, one cannot place it into the 'No one saw this coming' bracket. Just a week before his record batting display, the youngster scored a 62-ball in Meghalaya's previous outing against Bihar.

Akash struck four maximums and five boundaries in that innings, leading his side past the 400-run mark in the first innings. Yet, the back-to-back quickfire half-centuries came after a now-unfathomable lean patch.

The right-hander had not crossed 20 in his previous seven first-class innings and averaged a dismal 5.66. Yet, Akash scored his lone List-A half-century earlier in the Vijay Hazare Trophy earlier in the year.

#2 The lesser-known similarity between his first-class batting and bowling feats

While Akash Choudhary's batting display is rightfully making all the noise, it is his bowling that has made him a household name in Meghalaya cricket. Coincidentally, the 25-year-old has as many first-class five-wicket hauls as half-centuries with three each.

Akash also has a ten-wicket match haul in first-class cricket but boasts no centuries with the bat. The right-arm seamer has picked up over 150 wickets across the three formats in domestic cricket at an average of below 30 in each of the formats.

#3 Bizarre extremes in the same outing

Akash Choudhary is slowly but surely making a habit of producing something eventful on an everyday basis in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. His record-breaking half-century came after just his second 50+ score in first-class cricket in the previous outing.

Yet, in the match before the above two encounters, Akash experienced incredible highs and an immediate low against Sikkim. The all-rounder produced a sensational five-wicket haul with the ball in the first innings of the contest.

However, he followed up on his bowling heroics with a golden duck with the willow. Nevertheless, Akash immediately redeemed himself with a three-wicket second innings.

It was another eye-catching outing for the youngster with a golden duck and a five-wicket haul in a matter of three days.

#4 Akash Choudhary's momentary IPL connection

Akash Choudhary is an unknown commodity in the IPL, yet there was a fleeting moment when the two connected. The now-25-year-old was part of the IPL 2022 auction but went unsold despite a base price of only ₹20 Lakhs.

However, with his record-breaking performances with the bat and consistent bowling, franchises will likely be interested in acquiring the all-rounder in the upcoming 2026 mini auction.

Akash has called Mumbai Indians (MI) stars Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya his idols. With the franchise renowned for investing in young and talented domestic performers, the Meghalaya boy could harbor dreams of potentially playing with his two idols on the same team.

#5 Stunning first-class to white-ball mismatch

It is rare for a batter to smash more sixes in first-class cricket than in the two white-ball formats, especially when the games played are similar. Yet, such is the case with Akash Choudhary, who struck more maximums in his record-breaking half-century against Arunachal Pradesh than in either of his List-A and T20 careers.

The 25-year-old boasts only four maximums in 134 balls in 30 T20 outings and six maximums in 367 deliveries in 28 List-A matches. For perspective, he has struck 12 sixes in the two first-class matches this month.

Even Akash's white-ball strike rates are shockingly low at 55.31 in List-A cricket and 79.85 in T20s, considering what has transpired in his most recent first-class outings.