Who holds the Indian record for the fastest Test fifty?
(25 March 2002)
The Indian team touring Pakistan in 1982-83 were confronted by an
Imran Khan-led side keen to put the visitors to rout.
A fighting century from Mohinder Amarnath, recalled to the Indian
team for the umpteenth time, helped his side salvage a draw in
the first Test after the home team had piled on 485 in their
first innings at Lahore. But early into the first day of the
second Test at Karachi, it had become apparent that almost all
escape routes were sealed as far as the Indians were concerned.
Put in by Imran Khan, Sunil Gavaskar’s side were soon tottering
at 70 for five. Their fading hopes, then, rested on the shoulders
of a young Kapil Dev. The previous Test between the two sides at
the venue, four years ago, had seen Kapil smash a Pakistan attack
led by Imran Khan and Sarfraz Nawaz to smithereens on his way to
a maiden Test fifty off just 33 balls.
On 23 December, 1982, he was to repeat the treatment; he smote
twelve fours and one six in an electric 73 off just 53 balls. His
fifty had come off just 30 balls - a new Indian record for the
fastest Test fifty. India, though, crumbled after Kapil’s
dismissal and plunged to their first loss in a six-Test series
which they eventually lost 3-0.
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