'Outrageous, Exhilarating Risk-Taker': Netizens React As Rishabh Pant Scores Fastest Fifty By An Indian In Test Cricket

Rishabh Pant broke 1983 World Cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev's 40-year-old record of scoring the fastest fifty for India in Test cricket. 

Rishabh Pant (Photo: Twitter/ Kolkata Knight Riders)

New Delhi: India's star wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant scripted history on Sunday as he scored his 9th Test half-century off just 28 balls, the fastest by an Indian in Test cricket history. Pant broke 1983 World Cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev's 40-year-old record of scoring the fastest fifty for India in Test cricket. The veteran had hit a 30-ball fifty against Pakistan in 1982. Pant showcased all range of shots against Sri lanka - slogs, sweeps, cuts and the drives. 

At dinner on Day 2, a dominating session led by Rishabh Pant powered India to 199/5 with the lead of 342 runs. Jadeja and Iyer remain unbeaten at the crease.

In the ongoing India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test, India opted to bat first after winning the toss. The hosts were bundled out for just 252 runs. At one point, India's batting lineup was left reeling as their top-order collapsed against the Lankan bowlers. Shreyas Iyer then played a heroic 92-run knock to help his team post a respectable total.

On Day 2, Jasprit Bumrah picked a sensational 5-wicket haul to bowl out Sri Lanka for just 109 runs. After ending Day 1 on 86/6, Sri Lanka managed to add just 23 runs in 1st session, losing 4 wickets as Bumrah and R Ashwin bagged two wickets apiece. India is now rapidly moving towards a massive lead.

Here's how fans reacted to Pant's heroics 

Fastest 50 by an Indian test match history. Well played Rishabh pant 👏

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 13, 2022

Rishabh Pant is the Adam Gilchrist many thought other keepers would be.

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) March 13, 2022

50 off 28 balls. Electric. This is Rishabh Pant’s time and we’re just living in it. #INDvSL

— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) March 13, 2022

#RishabhPant is an outrageous, exhilarating risk-taker

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 13, 2022

FIFTY!@RishabhPant17 surpasses Kapil Dev to score the fastest 50 by an Indian in Test cricket. It has come off 28 deliveries.

Take a bow, Rishabh 👏💪💥

Live - https://t.co/t74OLq7xoO #INDvSL @Paytm pic.twitter.com/YcpJf2sp2H

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 13, 2022

Rishabh Pant has the fastest fifty in Test cricket for 🇮🇳 💪

A record that has #RP17 vibes written all over it 💙#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/KHVCRdJFNX

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 13, 2022

The frequency with which @RishabhPant17 produces such knocks is just incredible. Usually if a batter is mercurial he's not consistent. But in Pant we've a mercurial batter who's consistent. World beater! #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/qse2dY0zOz

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 13, 2022

Rishabh Pant is a diamond, protect him at all times - he deserves it more than anyone else. He’ll win (already has, a lot) games for India as much as anyone you’ve seen before.

— Anirudh Eswaran (@_TheSportsGeek) March 13, 2022

Fastest fifty by a wicketkeeper in Test cricket:

28 balls - Rishabh Pant 🇮🇳 v SL, today
34 balls - Ian Smith 🇳🇿 v PAK, 1990
34 balls - MS Dhoni 🇮🇳 v PAK, 2006#INDvSL

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) March 13, 2022

We are perhaps entering the Rishabh Pant era in Indian cricket.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) March 13, 2022

Rishabh Pant today:-

•Scored Fastest Test Fifty for India.
•Holds the record of Most Sixes in Tests since his Debut.
•Complete 200 FOURS in Tests.
•Becomes 2nd player in the World currently after Warner to have 40+ Ave & 70+ SR in Tests.

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) March 13, 2022