Indian cricket fans always anticipate the emergence of new talents making a memorable debut on the international stage, particularly in the challenging format of Test cricket. Although crafting a successful innings in one’s debut Test match is no easy feat, a select few have managed to shine brightly on their India Test debuts, etching their names in history with the fastest fifties.
The latest addition to this prestigious club is the young and dynamic Sarfaraz Khan, who recently showcased his prowess against England in Rajkot.
Since 2018, the list of Indian batters with the fastest fifties on their Test debuts has been relatively stable. However, Sarfaraz’s explosive innings has added a new chapter to this exclusive record book. On that note, let’s take a closer look at the illustrious players who have achieved this remarkable milestone.
Batters to score fastest fifties on men’s Test debut for India
Yuvraj’s Test career was short-lived, consisting of just one match against England in 1934. In that solitary appearance, he made an indelible mark by scoring a remarkable 84, including the fastest fifty by an Indian on Test debut, reaching the milestone in a mere 42 balls.
Hardik Pandya burst onto the Test scene against Sri Lanka in 2017, making a lasting impression. His 48-ball fifty secured him a place in the exclusive club, and he further enhanced his debut by converting it into a splendid century.
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Joining forces with Hardik for the second position, Sarfaraz Khan’s Test debut against England in 2024 featured a scintillating innings. Scoring a fifty in just 48 balls, Sarfaraz’s blitz innings may not have translated into a century, but it secured his spot in the elite record book of Indian batters with the fastest fifties on their Test debuts.
Shikhar Dhawan made a memorable Test debut against Australia in Mohali in 2013, smashing an incredible 187 runs. Completing his fifty in just 50 balls, Dhawan’s innings played a crucial role in India’s victory, earning him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
Prithvi Shaw‘s entry into Test cricket against West Indies in 2018 was nothing short of sensational. The young talent scored a scintillating 134 and reached his fifty in just 56 balls, contributing significantly to India’s triumph.