Fastest Test Fifties by Indians: A Look at the Record-Breaking Knocks
Cricket is a game of patience. But, some Indian cricketers have shown that Test matches can also be thrilling. From fearless hitting to match-winning innings, these players rose to the occasion. Here’s a countdown of the top five fastest Test fifties by Indian players. It shows their brilliance under pressure.
1. Rishabh Pant – 28 Balls
First is Rishabh Pant’s 28-ball fifty against Sri Lanka in 2022. It was a record. Pant’s bold stroke play made batting look easy in this innings. His half-century was filled with outrageous shots that left the bowlers clueless.
Pant’s blitzkrieg helped India declare at 303/9, setting up a massive 238-run victory. This knock wasn’t just for quick runs. It was to dictate terms and change the game’s complexion. When Pant is on fire, no bowler in the world can stop him.
2. Rishabh Pant – 29 Balls
When the situation demands heroics, Rishabh Pant delivers. During the 2024 SCG Test against Australia, India was reeling at 59/3 in their second innings when Pant took center stage. Facing the fiery Scott Boland, Pant sent his very first ball over the ropes for six.
What followed was a breathtaking display of aggressive batting. Pant raced to his fifty in just 29 balls, smashing six fours and four sixes in his 33-ball, 61-run blitz. His knock not only gave India a vital lead but also left fans in awe of his fearless approach to the game.
3. Kapil Dev – 30 Balls
In a 1982 Test in Karachi, legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev showed his grit against Pakistan. India was in dire straits when Kapil unleashed an assault on the opposition bowlers. He brought up his fifty in just 30 balls and finished with a fighting 73 off 53 deliveries.
Though India lost the match, Kapil’s knock was a testament to his fearless approach and ability to lead from the front. It remains one of the most iconic counterattacking innings in Indian cricket history.
4. Shardul Thakur – 31 Balls
Shardul Thakur, “Lord Thakur” to fans, made history in the 2021 Oval Test against England. Walking in with India in trouble, Thakur delivered a fearless counterattack. His explosive fifty off 31 balls came at a time when India desperately needed momentum.
Shardul scored 57 off 36 balls in the first innings. He followed it with a quick fifty in the second. His efforts helped India win by 157 runs. His fearless batting proved he’s a genuine match-winner with the bat, not just a bowling all-rounder.
5. Yashasvi Jaiswal – 31 Balls
In 2024, in a rain-hit Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, Yashasvi Jaiswal made a bold statement. With India needing quick runs to chase a tricky target, the young left-hander attacked. His fifty came off just 31 balls, studded with crisp boundaries and two towering sixes.
Jaiswal didn’t stop there. He scored a match-winning 72 off 51 balls. India won by seven wickets and swept the series 2-0. For a player still new to Test cricket, Jaiswal’s calm yet aggressive innings proved he’s a star in the making.
These incredible performances remind us that Test cricket is as much about grit as it is about flair. From young guns like Yashasvi Jaiswal to seasoned stars like Kapil Dev and Rishabh Pant, these players showed that quick innings can turn a match.