Rishabh Pant completed his fifty off just 36 balls and thus became the first Indian batter to score the fastest half-century in Tests against New Zealand.
New Delhi: The third Test match between India and New Zealand is going on at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. After losing 4 wickets for 86 runs on the first day, Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill gave Team India a great start on the second day. On the second day, Pant hit 2 consecutive fours to take India’s score ahead by 86 runs. Ajaz Patel came to bowl the first over of the day in which Pant made his intentions clear by hitting three fours. At the start of the second day, Pant continued to bat in a rapid style and completed his half-century immediately after Shubman Gill, who was already at the crease. Pant hit a half-century in just 36 balls and created a new record in Test cricket.
Rishabh Pant created many records:
Shubman Gill completed his 7th Test half-century in Tests on the first ball of the 30th over. Gill hit a fifty off 66 balls. After this, Pant also scored a half-century on the third ball of the over. Pant completed his fifty off just 36 balls and thus became the first Indian batsman to score the fastest half-century in Tests against New Zealand. Pant broke the record of Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal did this great feat in the second Test of the same series. In the second Test match played in Pune, Jaiswal scored a half-century off just 41 balls.
With this half-century, Pant broke Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s big record. Pant has surpassed Dhoni to become the second wicketkeeper to score the most 50+ scores in Test matches at a strike rate of more than 100. Pant has now scored five 50+ scores at a strike rate of 100+ in Test cricket. He is the third Indian batsman to do so the most for India.
Wicketkeepers who scored the most 50+ runs with a 100+ strike rate in Test matches:
- 8 – Adam Gilchrist
- 5 – Rishabh Pant*
- 4 – MS Dhoni
- 4 – Jonny Bairstow*
Rishabh Pant became the victim of New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi in the 38th over after completing his half-century. Pant played an innings of 60 runs with the help of 2 sixes and 8 fours in 59 balls. Pant has scored around 1000 runs in the last 18 Test innings. During this, 3 centuries and 6 half-centuries have come from his bat.
List of Indian batters who scored the most 50+ scores with a 100+ strike rate in Tests:
- 14 – Virender Sehwag
- 13 – Kapil Dev
- 5 – Rishabh Pant*
- 4 – Mohammad Azharuddin
- 4 – MS Dhoni
- 4 – Yashasvi Jaiswal