Mumbai Test: Rishabh Pant sets new Indian record after 36-ball fifty vs New Zealand

India vs New Zealand, 3rd Test: Rishabh Pant broke Yashasvi Jaiswal's record for the fastest Test fifty by an Indian batter against New Zealand. Pant got to the landmark in just 36 balls on Day 2 in Mumbai.

In Short

• Rishabh Pant hit the fastest fifty by an Indian batter vs New Zealand
• Pant hit seven boundaries and two sixes before getting to his fifty
• Pant and Shubman Gill led India's charge on Saturday morning

Rishabh Pant returned to his best, steering India out of trouble on Day 2 of the third and final Test against New Zealand. On a hot Saturday morning in Mumbai, Pant punished the New Zealand bowlers, playing with his trademark flair and confidence. Pant and Shubman Gill steered India out of trouble while transferring the pressure back on New Zealand in a brisk morning session.

Rishabh Pant set a new Indian record for the fastest Test fifty against New Zealand, getting to the milestone in just 36 deliveries. Pant hit 7 boundaries and two sixes. Pant broke the record that was held by Yashasvi Jaiswal -- the opener had hit a 41-ball fifty in Pune in the second Test of this series.

Mumbai Test, IND v NZ Day 2: Updates

Rishabh Pant also holds the record for the fastest Test fifty by an Indian batter -- 28 balls against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru in 2022. Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq holds the all-time record -- 21 balls vs Australia in 2014 in Abu Dhabi.

FASTEST TEST FIFTIES FOR INDIA vs NEW ZEALAND

• 36 - Rishabh Pant in Mumbai in 2024
• 41 - Yashasvi Jaiswal in Pune in 2024

India scored at close to six runs per over on Day 2 morning as both Pant and Gill dominated the New Zealand attack. The visiting team, which won the series by shocking India 2-0, had the upper-hand after India's late collapse on Day 1, but Pant and Gill ensured that the pressure was not added on India. Both players respected the conditions but did not shy away from putting the bad balls away.

Shubman Gill, who also completed his fifty on Day 2 morning, was put down on 45 by Mark Chapman. On the other hand, Pant played a chanceless innings, stepping down the track to comfortably clear the spinners. The healthy crowd on Saturday morning enjoyed the approach from the two young batters.

India went from 78 for 1 to 84 for 4 in a sensational period of 15 minutes. After Yashasvi Jaiswal threw it away while trying to play a reverse sweep, nightwatchman Mohammed Siraj was out for 0. Virat Kohli was run out for 4 while trying to complete a quick single as India headed to Stumps in a spot of bother.

However, Pant and Gill started the day well and slowly began putting pressure on the New Zealand bowlers, eating into the visitors' lead in the first innings.