Fastest Fifties By Indian Batsmen In ODI Cricket
One-Day International cricket in the last decade has seen a drastic transition. Gone are the times when the batsmen use to start slowly in the powerplay and think about not losing wickets. Gone are the times when 300 was considered as winning total. Chasing 300 has become a lot easier. Cricketers play with an aggressive mindset and play with an aggressive approach. Teams now give a lot of emphasis on the strike rates along with the average. The demand of power-hitters in white-ball cricket has increased manyfold.
Over the years, we have seen some outstanding knocks in one-day cricket. Players went berserk right from the word go. On that note, we look at the 5 fastest fifty in white-ball cricket:
5. Yuvraj Singh: 22 Balls
Yuvraj Singh, is hailed as one of the most destructive batsmen India has ever produced. The southpaw notched made many records in his playing days. In an ODI match against Bangladesh in 2004, Yuvraj Singh scored his fastest fifty, playing an outstanding knock of 69 runs, including 8 fours and 3 sixes. He reached his half-century off just 22 balls.
4. Rahul Dravid: 22 Balls
Former Indian batsman, Rahul Dravid is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen the world has ever seen. It was pleasure watching Dravid bat during his playing days. He received a lot of praise for his sound technique, game and skills. Popularly known as Mr. Dependable, Rahul Dravid singlehandedly won India games on many occasions. He scored his 50 not out with the help of 5 fours and 3 sixes in the year 2003 against New Zealand on Hyderabad’s ground, where he scored his fastest century in only 22 balls.
3. Virender Sehwag: 22 Balls
Virender Sehwag was known for his explosive mindset. He won’t care if he is facing the first ball of his innings. If the ball is in his arc, he will hit the ball a long way. A fearless batsman, Virender Sehwag gave a lot of blistering starts to team India. Sehwag played an outstanding knock against Kenya in 2001 of 55 runs. He brought up his half-century off just 22 balls.
2. Kapil Dev: 21 Balls
Kapil Dev is regarded as India’s greatest all-rounder of all time. One of the best captains, India have ever had, Kapil Dev will always be remembered for helping India win its’ first ever World Cup title in 1983. Kapil Dev made a significant contribution to team India during his playing days. He played an outstanding knock against West Indies in 1983, where he notched 72 runs, including 3 fours and 7 sixes. Kapil Dev brought up his half-century in just 21 balls.
1. Ajit Agarkar: 21 Balls
India’s former cricketer, Ajit Agarkar holds the record for scoring the fastest fifty by an Indian batsman. He surprised the whole nation by playing a memorable knock against Zimbabwe in the year 2000 with the help of 21 balls at Rajkot ground. During this innings, Ajit played a memorable an unbeaten knock of 67 runs, including 7 fours and 4 sixes in only 25 balls.
