Rishabh Pant scores second-fastest Test fifty for India

Rishabh Pant delivered a breathtaking performance on day two of the fifth Test in Sydney, smashing a 29-ball half-century to record the second-fastest fifty by an Indian in Test cricket. Pant, known for his fearless approach, came agonizingly close to breaking his own record of a 28-ball fifty against Sri Lanka in 2022.  

Pant reached the milestone with a signature helicopter six off Mitchell Starc over midwicket, following it up with another massive six to the same region. Despite Pat Cummins stationing three fielders on the leg-side boundary, Pant’s audacious hitting rendered the field placements irrelevant.  

With this innings, Pant now holds two of the top spots for the fastest fifties by an Indian in Test cricket. He is followed by Kapil Dev (30 balls), Shardul Thakur (31 balls), and Yashasvi Jaiswal (31 balls) on the list.  

Pant’s explosive knock was instrumental in taking India’s lead beyond 145, setting the stage for what could be a game-changing, series-defining innings. His counterattack came at a crucial juncture, blunting the impact of Scott Boland’s devastating four-wicket haul and putting India in a commanding position.  

As the match progresses, Pant’s brilliance may prove pivotal in shaping the outcome of the Test and the series.