Rishabh Pant put on a sensational display of counter-attacking batting during the second innings of the ongoing fifth Test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on January 4, 2025. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter reached his fifty in just 29 balls, making it the second-fastest half-century ever by an Indian in Test cricket. Pant's rapid-fire fifty, which came close to his own record of a 28-ball fifty, was a thrilling spectacle that had the Australian bowlers scrambling.
Pant, who had earlier faced some challenges in the first innings, made an immediate impact upon walking out to bat at number five. After Virat Kohli’s dismissal, Pant wasted no time in taking the attack to the Australian bowlers. He opened his account in style by smashing a six off the very first ball he faced from Scott Boland. It was clear from the start that Pant had a different approach in mind for his second innings. His aggressive strokeplay continued as he hit Mitchell Starc for two sixes and also cleared the ropes against Boland and Beau Webster with another maximum each.
In total, Pant’s innings of 61 off just 33 balls included six fours and three sixes. His 29-ball fifty was the second-fastest by an Indian batter in Test cricket, just one ball behind his own record of a 28-ball fifty set against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru in 2022. The quickfire knock provided much-needed impetus to India’s innings, especially after they were in a precarious position at 59/3, having lost Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Kohli early.
Pant’s aggressive approach was a key part of India’s recovery, as he shared a brief partnership with Shubman Gill and later with Ravindra Jadeja. Their efforts helped India surge past the 100-run mark and build a significant lead. However, Pant was eventually dismissed for 61 by Pat Cummins in the 23rd over, giving Australia a breakthrough. Despite his dismissal, Pant’s knock had already helped India extend their lead to 132, providing a solid foundation for the rest of the batting order.
Pant’s 29-ball fifty is now the fastest by a visiting batter in Australia, surpassing the previous record held by England’s John Brown (1895) and Roy Fredericks (1975), who both took 33 balls to reach their fifties. Pant’s rapid innings not only lit up the Sydney Test but also reaffirmed his reputation as one of the most exciting and fearless batters in the world of Test cricket.
As the match progresses, Pant's blistering knock will be remembered as a defining moment in India's bid to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His attacking style and the sheer pace of his innings highlighted his immense potential, and it’s clear that his contributions will play a key role in India’s efforts to dominate the Australian team in this final Test of the series.
