India had taken a slender four-run lead after the first innings at Sydney, bowling out Australia for 181 in the final Test. India’s last batting innings on the tour began in blistering fashion, with Yashasvi Jaiswal hitting Mitchell Starc for four boundaries in the very first over, sending out a strong intent of how the Indian team would approach their innings.

However, the familiar collapse soon began, with Virat Kohli departing for 6 in the 14th over, falling familiarly, edging a Scott Boland delivery outside the off stump yet again. It brought left-hander Rishabh Pant, much criticised for his shots during India’s defeat in Melbourne, to the crease. The next few overs were all about Pant, who started his innings with a sensational six over long-on.

Pant was batting on 17 in 10 balls at one point and raced away to 45 in the next 12 deliveries, with his range in full display. He sat down, fell over and nonchalantly took on the bowlers, eventually getting his fifty in 29 deliveries, the second-fastest ever by an India batter.

The record also belongs to Pant, who had made a fifty in 28 balls against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru in 2022, on yet another tricky wicket.

Pant was eventually dismissed for a 33-ball 61, hitting four sixes and six fours in his knock that came at a strike rate of 184.85. India were 124-5 when he was dismissed in the 23rd over by Pat Cummins.

Fastest Test fifties by India: Full list

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