Sat Jan 04 09:49:40 UTC 2025: ## Pant Blasts Second-Fastest Test Fifty for India, Surpasses Gambhir’s Overseas Record
**Sydney, Australia** – Rishabh Pant thrilled fans with a breathtaking innings in the second innings of the Sydney Test match against Australia. He smashed a 29-ball fifty, the second-fastest half-century by an Indian in Test cricket history. This remarkable feat follows his previous record of a 28-ball fifty against Sri Lanka in 2022, which remains the fastest by an Indian in Tests.
Pant’s explosive 61-run knock off just 33 balls, including six fours and four sixes, ultimately ended his innings, but not before surpassing his coach Gautam Gambhir’s record for most Test runs scored overseas. Pant now has 1842 runs in overseas Tests, surpassing Gambhir’s 1832 runs. This achievement came in just 29 matches, compared to Gambhir’s 24.
Furthermore, Pant has set a new benchmark for the highest strike rate by an Indian in Test innings of 50+ runs with a remarkable 184.85, surpassing Kapil Dev’s previous record. This exceptional strike rate places him among an elite group of players, including Viv Richards and Ben Stokes, who have achieved 50+ scores with a strike rate of over 150 on at least two occasions.
The other fastest fifties by Indians in Test cricket include:
* 28 balls – Rishabh Pant vs Sri Lanka, 2022
* 31 balls – Shardul Thakur vs England, 2021
* 31 balls – Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Bangladesh, 2024
* 32 balls – Virender Sehwag vs England, 2008
Pant’s blistering innings underscored his explosive batting talent and cemented his place among the most exciting players in international cricket.
First Piper 