Sat Jan 04 07:43:33 UTC 2025: ## Pant Blasts Fastest-Ever Visiting Fifty in Australia
**Sydney, Australia –** Rishabh Pant delivered a breathtaking display of explosive batting on Saturday, smashing the second-fastest Test fifty for India and the fastest ever by a visiting batsman on Australian soil during the fifth Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Pant reached his half-century in a whirlwind 29 balls, smashing six fours and three sixes. While just short of his own record of 28 balls (achieved against Sri Lanka in 2022), his knock eclipsed the previous fastest by a visiting player – 33 balls, held jointly by England’s John Brown (1895) and the West Indies’ Roy Fredericks (1975).
Coming to the crease after Virat Kohli’s dismissal, Pant immediately launched a ferocious assault on the Australian bowlers, particularly Scott Boland and Beau Webster. His aggressive approach contrasted sharply with his more measured 40 runs off 98 balls in the first innings. This counterattack propelled India’s lead beyond 100 runs, silencing critics who had questioned his shot selection in the previous Test.
At one point, Pant was on 47 runs off just 23 balls, tantalisingly close to breaking his own record. He ultimately reached his fifty in 29 balls, before eventually falling for 61 off 33 balls, caught behind off Pat Cummins. Although his dismissal was a significant wicket for Australia, Pant’s explosive innings had already placed India in a commanding position in the match. Cummins visibly celebrated the wicket, highlighting the impact of removing the dangerous batsman.
First Piper 