Fastest 50 in Test in India

Rishabh Pant, the talented wicket-keeper batter, created history with his explosive batting display during the second Test against Sri Lanka at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. In the process, he achieved the fastest fifty by an Indian in Test cricket, surpassing the 40-year-old record set by Kapil Dev.

Fastest 50 in Test in India

Pant’s blistering knock saw him reach his fifty in just 28 balls, breaking the previous record held by Kapil Dev, who had achieved the feat in 30 balls against Pakistan in Karachi back in 1982. Despite Pant’s extraordinary effort, the match ended in disappointment for India as Pakistan emerged victorious with an innings and 86-run win.

Another Indian cricketer who left a significant mark with his quickfire fifty was Shardul Thakur. In the fourth Test against England at The Oval in 2021, Thakur displayed his batting prowess and became the third-fastest Indian to reach a half-century in Test cricket. Coming in to bat at No. 8 with India struggling at 117/6, Thakur took the English bowlers to task.

Thakur’s innings was filled with aggressive strokes, as he hammered seven fours and three sixes, accumulating 57 runs off just 36 balls. However, his innings was cut short when he was trapped in front of the stumps, falling victim to an intelligent review by England. Nonetheless, his contribution was vital in helping India reach a total of 191 runs in the first innings.

It is noteworthy that Thakur’s blazing fifty also saw him break Sir Ian Botham’s long-standing record for the fastest Test fifty in England. Botham had achieved the feat off 32 deliveries at the same venue back in 1986, a record that had stood for 35 years until Thakur surpassed it. This remarkable achievement added to the significance of Thakur’s innings.

With his lightning-fast half-century, Thakur surpassed the likes of Virender Sehwag, who had previously held the second position for the fastest fifties in Test cricket by Indians. Sehwag had achieved his fifty in 32 balls against England in 2008. However, Thakur’s heroics propelled him to a new level of distinction.

While Pant and Thakur made waves with their quickfire fifties, it is important to note that the overall record for the fastest Test fifty is held by Misbah-ul-Haq of Pakistan. Misbah achieved this incredible feat off just 21 balls against Australia in 2014. Following Misbah, the top five list of fastest half-centuries in Test cricket includes David Warner (23 balls), Jacques Kallis (24 balls), Shane Shillingford (25 balls), and Shahid Afridi (26 balls).