IND vs BAN: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal shatter record for fastest team fifty in Test cricket
India's openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal combined to set a new world record for the fastest fifty in Test cricket on Day 4 of the second Test against Bangladesh at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur.
With a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final on the line, India chased a positive result and showcased aggressive intent from the start of their innings.
After two rain-affected days, India needed to make up for lost time and took control of the game. Bangladesh, who had been bowled out for 233 in their first innings, found themselves under immense pressure from India's batting, which started in blistering fashion.
Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal rewrite Test record books
Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal unleashed an attacking onslaught against the Bangladeshi bowlers right from the first ball. Jaiswal began with a bang, hitting three consecutive boundaries off the bowling of Hasan Mahmud in the opening over.
In the next over, Rohit Sharma joined in on the action, launching the first two deliveries from Khaled Ahmed over the boundary for consecutive sixes. Jaiswal finished the over with a boundary of his own, piling the pressure on the opposition.
India's momentum only grew stronger. In Hasan Mahmud's second over, Rohit struck another six, and the Bangladeshi bowler, who had troubled India in the first Test, lost his rhythm. He bowled a no-ball, and Jaiswal took full advantage, hitting a six and two more boundaries to close the over. India reached the fifty-run mark in just 18 balls, setting a new benchmark for the fastest team fifty in Test cricket history. This was also the first time a team scored 50 runs in the opening three overs of a Test match.
Previously, England held the record for the fastest fifty in Test matches, having achieved the milestone in 26 balls during a game against West Indies earlier in 2024 at Trent Bridge. India's new record shattered this mark by a considerable margin, as they raced to their team fifty in just 18 deliveries.
India's previous fastest fifty came in a 2008 Test match against England in Chennai, where they took 5.2 overs to reach the half-century.
Records for fastest team fifty in Test cricket
England's aggressive style of play in Test cricket, nicknamed 'Bazball,' has been a hallmark of their recent performances. However, India's opening batsmen proved in this innings that they too could play in an attacking mode when needed, adapting to the situation with flair and aggression.
Bangladesh all out for 233 on Day 4
Earlier on Day 4, India's bowlers made quick work of Bangladesh's tail-enders, dismissing the visitors for 233 runs in their first innings. Bangladesh had resumed the day at 205/6, but they managed to add only 28 runs in the post-lunch session before being bowled out.
Mominul Haque was the standout performer for Bangladesh, remaining unbeaten on 107, while his teammates struggled against the Indian bowling attack. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers for India, taking three wickets for 50 runs.
India's other bowlers also chipped in, with Akash Deep (2/43), Ravichandran Ashwin (2/45), and Mohammed Siraj (2/57) claiming two wickets each. Ravindra Jadeja, meanwhile, reached a milestone by taking his 300th wicket in Test cricket.
India's position after Bangladesh innings
At the time of this report, India had reached a score of 119/1 in their first innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal remained at the crease with a powerful 71 off 45 balls, alongside Shubman Gill, who was unbeaten on 24 from 17 balls. India trailed Bangladesh by 113 runs and appeared set for a strong reply as they pushed towards a result that would boost their chances of making the World Test Championship final.
