Watch Ajit Agarkar smash the fastest ODI fifty by an Indian batsman.
Though a bowler by trade, India’s Ajit Agarkar had a few memorable days out with the bat.
Most famously, he has a Lord’s Test hundred to his name, something Sachin Tendulkar can’t boast, while he also holds the record for the fastest ODI fifty by an Indian, smashing a 21-ball half-century against Zimbabwe in 2000.
The innings was an important one. India had been 114-5 earlier in the game, and when Agarkar came in they were 216-6 with 6.3 overs left to bat. Thanks to the No.8’s assault, they managed to make it past 300.
He smashed seven fours and four sixes, ending up unbeaten on 67 from 25 balls. The list of batsmen to score more runs in an innings with a better strike-rate is illustrious, comprising Sanath Jayasuriya, Kusal Perera, Corey Anderson, Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum (twice), Martin Guptill, and AB de Villiers.
His work was far from done, with the seamer taking 3-26 as first-change bowler, heping bowl Zimbabwe out for 262.