Test cricket is often regarded as a format where one does not score at a faster rate. However, there have been individuals who have gone against the pattern to not just bat in an aggressive way, but to impact matches with their quickfire knocks. There aren’t many such batters who can regularly play innings like it. However, some of the Indian players have done it regularly in Tests.
India has produced some of the best batters in the world. Likewise, the two-time WTC finalists have also produced some of the most aggressive batters. When the situation demanded, such players stepped up with blitz knocks which changed the complexion of the game totally. Such knocks showed what they could do in a game.
It is time to look at the Indian batters with the five fastest fifties in Test cricket.
5. Virender Sehwag vs England, Chennai (32 balls)
It had a huge relevance. After the 26/11 attacks, England agreed to play the Test match in Chennai. The home side was given a target of 386. Such a massive target was never chased in India. But Virender Sehwag set the perfect tone for the chase with his blazing knock. He scored a fifty in just 32 balls and took the English bowlers to the cleaners. Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh helped India to register the highest successful chase in the subcontinent.
4. Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Bangladesh, Kanpur 2024 (31 balls)
Yashasvi Jaiswal entered the top 5 with a quick fifty against England. In the second Test of the series against Bangladesh, over 7 sessions got washed out due to rain and bad drainage. India had to score runs at a quick pace. They did exactly that by scoring a fifty in just 3 overs and a hundred in 10.1 overs. Yashasvi played a massive role in it by scoring his fifty in just 31 balls, the joint third fastest for India in Tests. He went on to score 72 runs.
3. Shardul Thakur vs England, The Oval 2021 (31 balls)
It came in an important match between India and England in the fourth Test. As the series was leveled 1-1, India aimed to claim a lead of 2-1. But in overcast conditions, India collapsed like a pack of cards. Shardul Thakur, playing the first match of the series, bashed the England bowlers for fun and registered a fifty in just 31 balls. It was a highly impactful knock as India went on to win the Test. Shardul was indeed the star of the match.
2. Kapil Dev vs Pakistan, Karachi 1982 (30 balls)
It was a great cameo from the former Indian captain. When the concept of aggressive knocks wasn’t a norm, Kapil set high standards and batted in a way many would imagine. The star batter smashed a fifty in just 30 balls. Back then, it had impressed many experts and fans. Against a great attack of Pakistan, Kapil stood tall and showed what he could do with the bat in his hand. It remained the fastest fifty scored by an Indian batter in Tests for 40 long years.
1. Rishabh Pant vs Sri Lanka, Bengaluru 2022 (28 balls)
It took Rishabh Pant to break Kapil Dev’s record. The Southpaw registered India’s fastest Test fifty in one of the most challenging conditions. The wicket in Chinnaswamy Stadium was turning square and there was uneven bounce. Against spinners who were in rhythm, Pant played a highly impactful knock. The WK batter scored his fifty in just 28 balls. Many expected him to smash the fastest Test hundred. But his knock couldn’t take off.
Disclaimer: This exclusive news is based on the author’s insights, analysis, and intuition. While reviewing this information, consider the points discussed and form your own conclusions.
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