Fastest ODI fifty for India against Australia
Australia have had some phenomenal bowling attacks over the years. They have been an exceptional side across formats but their dominance in ODIs is surreal, having won the World Cup on a record five occasions. Scoring quick runs against the Aussie bowlers is a tough task but some Indian batters have managed to play some exhilarating knocks against them. Here is a look at three of the fastest fifties in ODI cricket from Indian batters against Australia, in terms of balls faced.
3) Sachin Tendulkar – 30 balls in Visakhapatnam in 2001
The ‘Little Master’ played some sensational knocks against Australia during his illustrious career. In 2001, Australia toured India to play three Tests and five ODIs. In the fourth ODI in Visakhapatnam, Australia set the hosts a mammoth target of 339. Sachin opened the innings alongside Sourav Ganguly and took the attack to the tourists. He got to his fifty in just 30 balls before eventually being dismissed for a swashbuckling 38-ball 62. India lost the match by 93 runs but cricket lovers fondly remember the whirlwind knock from the legendary batter.
2) Virat Kohli – 27 balls in Jaipur in 2013
The Delhi batter broke Sachin Tendulkar’s 12-year-old record of fastest ODI fifty by an Indian batter against Australia during his incredible 52-ball 100* against the ‘Men in Yellow’ in the second ODI of a seven-match series in Jaipur in 2013. Chasing 351 for a win, Kohli got off the blocks in no time and reached the 50-run mark in just 27 balls. India won the match by nine wickets with 39 balls to spare as Rohit Sharma also scored a century.
1) Suryakumar Yadav – 24 balls in Indore in 2023
The flamboyant batter has played many awe-inspiring knocks throughout his career. However, his scintillating innings of 72* off 37 balls against Australia in the second ODI of a three-match series, in Indore, in 2023, will be etched in the memories of cricket enthusiasts for a very long time. Suryakumar got to his half-century in just 24 balls and his knock helped India post 399/5 in 50 overs. Australia lost by 99 runs (DLS method) as India took an unassailable 2-0 lead in
