5 bowlers who hold surprising batting records

#4. Ajit Agarkar - fastest ODI fifty by an Indian

Agarkar was simply unstoppable that day against Zimbabwe

Ajit Agarkar is regarded to be one of India’s finest and most prolific bowler. He may not have fulfilled his full potential as an all-rounder but he did produce some fantastic batting performances with the Indian team including a Test hundred at Lord’s which eluded even Sachin Tendulkar.

However, there is an Indian batting record which Agarkar holds and that is for the fastest ODI fifty by an Indian. The year was 2000 and India were playing their 5th ODI against Zimbabwe at Rajkot. A 102-run partnership between Hemang Badani and Ritender Singh Sodhi put India from 114/5 to 216/6. Following Badani’s dismissal, Ajit Agarkar came in to join Sodhi with less than 40 balls remaining. The 23-year old began to smash the Zimbabwean bowlers back and forth and there was simply no stopping him.

Agarkar batted to his fifty in just 21 deliveries, bettering Kapil Dev’s record for the fastest fifty by an Indian in ODIs by a ball. Agarkar eventually ended his innings on 67 from just 21 balls. Agarkar also impressed with the ball, taking 3/26 as India defeated Zimbabwe by 39 runs to clinch the series 4-1. Agarkar was rightfully adjudged the Man of the Match for what is undoubtedly his best performance for India.