Fastest Test Fifties By Indians

Jatin∙ Updated: Jan 4 2025, 1:45 PM

Rishabh Pant has smashed the fastest fifty for India in Tests [Source: AP Photos]Rishabh Pant has smashed the fastest fifty for India in Tests [Source: AP Photos]

Cricket is a game of patience, but sometimes, it’s about going all guns blazing. Over the years, a few Indian batters have shown that even Test cricket can be full of fireworks.

 From smashing bowlers out of the park to rescuing the team in crunch situations, these fifties came at breakneck speed. Let’s take a look at the top five fastest Test fifties by Indian players.

5. Yashasvi Jaiswal – 31 Balls

Yashasvi Jaiswal [Source: @MohdArishA39293/x.com]Yashasvi Jaiswal [Source: @MohdArishA39293/x.com]

Yashasvi Jaiswal isn’t here to play it safe. In 2024, during a rain-hit Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, this young gun decided to take matters into his own hands. India needed someone to up the tempo, and Jaiswal delivered like a boss. His fifty came in just 31 balls, filled with crisp boundaries and a couple of booming sixes.

He didn’t just stop there, he went on to score 72 off 51 balls. It wasn’t reckless hitting; it was smart and calculated. Those quick runs helped India cruise to a seven-wicket win and wrap up a 2-0 series sweep. For a guy still finding his feet in Test cricket, Jaiswal looked like he’d been doing this forever.

4. Shardul Thakur – 31 Balls

Shardul Thakur [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]Shardul Thakur [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]

'Lord Thakur' is a game-changer and he showed it at The Oval in 2021. During a crunch Test against England, Shardul walked in with India in trouble. Did he panic? Nope. He went full beast mode and smashed a fifty in 31 balls.

His first innings knock of 57 off 36 balls had everything—boundaries, smart running, and a ton of confidence. He didn’t stop there and hit another quick fifty in the second innings. Those runs gave India the momentum to pull off a massive 157-run win. Shardul showed everyone that he’s not just a bowler who can bat, he’s a batter who can win games.

3. Kapil Dev – 30 Balls

Kapil Dev [Source: @CricketopiaCom/x.com]Kapil Dev [Source: @CricketopiaCom/x.com]

Kapil Dev was all about fighting till the last ball. Back in 1982, against Pakistan in Karachi, Kapil played one of the gutsiest knocks in Indian cricket. India was in deep trouble, and then Kapil decided to go on the attack.

His fifty came in just 30 balls, and he smashed 73 off 53 balls. It wasn’t just about scoring quick runs, it was about standing tall when everything was falling apart. The match didn’t go India’s way, but Kapil’s knock left a mark. It was fearless cricket, proving that sometimes, you just need to take the fight to the opposition.

2. Rishabh Pant – 29 Balls

Rishabh Pant [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]Rishabh Pant [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x.com]

When the going gets tough, Rishabh Pant gets tougher. During the 2024 SCG Test against Australia, India was in an abysmal position at 59/3 in the second innings. Pant walked in and decided he wasn’t going to wait around. His first ball? Smashed for a six off Scott Boland.

From there, Pant went into full attack mode, hammering six fours and four sixes to reach his fifty in just 29 balls. By the time he was done, he had 61 off 33 balls, and India had a decent lead to defend. Pant’s innings wasn’t just fearless, it was pure swagger. He proved yet again why he’s one of the most dangerous players in the game.

1. Rishabh Pant – 28 Balls

Rishabh Pant [Source: @IWTKQuiz/x.com]Rishabh Pant [Source: @IWTKQuiz/x.com]

Topping the list is none other than Rishabh Pant again. In 2022, during a Test against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru, Pant smashed the fastest Test fifty by an Indian and made it look extremely easy. His fifty came in 28 balls, filled with outrageous shots that left the bowlers clueless. 

It wasn’t just quick runs; it was a complete game-changer. India declared at 303/9 and went on to win by a massive 238 runs. Pant’s knock was all about taking charge and dictating terms. When he’s on fire, there’s no bowler in the world who can stop him.