Slowest Fifties in IPL History – Who Scored the Slowest Fifty in Indian Premier League?

Slowest Fifties in IPL History: Since the beginning, IPL has hosted countless matches with top players displaying their skills. Over time, it’s become a highly entertaining league, drawing fans worldwide. In cricket, we often witness record-breaking performances, but it might surprise cricket fans that some players have achieved the slowest half-centuries and centuries. It seems players took the “slowest fifty” record seriously, as we have many names in the list of slowest fifties in IPL.

In T20 IPL, speed matters, but even aggressive batsmen must adjust and play slower when facing tough situations. It’s unusual to witness a batsman scoring at or below a run per ball in the tournament. Let’s delve into the Slowest Fifties in IPL History, Slowest 50 in IPL History, Who Scored the Slowest Fifty in the IPL?

Slowest Fifties in IPL History

Below is the Top 10 Slowest Half Century In the IPL History.

JP Duminy – 55 Balls (Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2009)

JP Duminy, a highly regarded cricketer, faced a setback when he took 55 balls to score 50 runs in a Mumbai Indians vs. Kings XI Punjab match in 2009. In this game, Punjab managed just 119 runs while batting first, making it seem like an easy win for Mumbai Indians with a target of 120 runs.

However, Duminy struggled, scoring only 59 runs from 63 deliveries, and the team finished their innings at 116/7 in 20 overs. It was a surprising performance from Duminy, known for his ability to hit big shots, and left disappointed viewers seeing a different side of him that day.

Parthiv Patel – 53 Balls (Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2010)

After the 2010 Chennai Super Kings vs. Kings XI Punjab match, everyone, including Parthiv Patel, was surprised. Patel, known for his aggressive style, managed to score runs primarily through singles and doubles. The former Indian wicket-keeper could only muster 58 runs from 57 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes.

Patel’s slow approach in opening the match resulted in CSK posting 136/7 in 20 overs, leading to a tie with Kings XI Punjab. The match had to be decided by a super over, which Kings XI Punjab ultimately won. Patel faced significant criticism for his innings in this match.

Robin Uthappa – 52 Balls (Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2012)

Robin Uthappa is known for his powerful and clean striking in short formats, but his 2012 IPL season innings drew backlash from fans as it was the slowest of his career. During the Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Delhi Daredevils match, playing for RCB, he came in when the team was at 1/2.

However, he could only manage 60 runs from 58 balls despite playing till the end. This innings did not meet the usual expectations from Uthappa, leading to disappointment among his fans. Delhi Daredevils easily chased down the target set by RCB with four overs to spare.

Brendon McCullum – 52 Balls (Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians in IPL 2010)

Seeing Brendon McCullum in the list of slowest fifties might be surprising, given his aggressive style. However, in the 2010 IPL season, he took 56 deliveries to score 57 runs during a Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Mumbai Indians match. MI set a target of 134 for KKR, which they easily chased down, losing only one wicket.

Despite taking a relatively long time to score his fifty, Brendon’s innings proved crucial as he stayed at the crease, steadily accumulating runs and becoming the star of the match for his patient approach.

Matthew Hayden – 51 Balls (Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians in IPL 2009)

Matthew Hayden, renowned for demolishing top bowling attacks, surprised everyone by taking 57 balls to score 60 runs in the 2009 Chennai Super Kings vs. Mumbai Indians match. Despite not being as destructive as his reputation suggests, he played a vital role.

In the match, MI set a target of 148, and Hayden’s 60 runs were crucial in CSK’s successful chase. His innings, although not his usual explosive self, played a pivotal part in securing the victory.

Jacques Kallis – 51 Balls (Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2009)

Jacques Kallis, known for his consistency and competitiveness, showcased a different approach in a 2009 match. Facing a target of 135 set by Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) managed to chase it down. This was largely due to Kallis’ decision to hold his position on the crease, especially after his opening partner Robin Uthappa got out in the first over.

Kallis adopted an extremely cautious approach, scoring 58 runs from 56 balls. While these innings were among the slowest in Kallis’s career, his patience paid off as RCB emerged victorious in the match. It highlighted his adaptability and ability to anchor the innings when needed.

Gautam Gambhir – 51 Balls (Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2010)

Gautam Gambhir, known for his adaptability and risk-taking ability, often rotated strike or played big shots. However, in the 2010 IPL match, he showcased patience and the ability to handle pressure. Chennai Super Kings set a target of 113 for Delhi Daredevils, but within the first two overs, Delhi lost 3 wickets.

Gambhir came in to bat at 4th position and displayed remarkable patience, scoring 57 runs from 56 balls, ultimately helping his team secure the victory. It was a departure from his usual style, highlighting his versatility as a batter.

David Warner – 50 Balls (Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021)

David Warner, known as one of the most destructive players in modern cricket, faced a loss of form during the 2021 IPL match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings. His overly cautious approach in this game led to a slow half-century, taking 55 deliveries to score 57 runs, which was a departure from his usual aggressive style.

His struggle in that innings also created pressure on his team. Consequently, Warner stepped down from captaincy and opted out of a few games, unable to play in his usual inventive stroke-filled manner.

Murali Vijay – 50 Balls (Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2013)

This opener, known for his superb hand-eye coordination and aggressive batting, faced an off-form day during the 2013 IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab. Despite his usual attacking style, he played cautiously in this game.

Surprisingly, his cautious approach worked well as CSK successfully chased down the target of 139 set by Kings XI Punjab without losing a wicket. Murali Vijay, opening alongside Brendon McCullum, took 50 deliveries to score 50 runs, making this innings the slowest in his career. McCullum’s explosive 86 off 54 balls played a key role in the victory.

Virat Kohli – 45 Balls (Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022)

It was quite unexpected to see the legendary Virat Kohli on the list of slowest fifties in the IPL. In the 2022 IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans, Kohli took a cautious approach right from the beginning of his innings. He aimed to regain his form but struggled, scoring 58 runs from 53 balls before getting clean bowled by Mohammad Shami.

Although this became Kohli’s slowest IPL inning, the fans cheered for him, eagerly hoping for his return to top form after his 43rd half-century in IPL history.

Conclusion

Slow fifties in IPL may lack the excitement of the fastest ones, but they’re crucial in T20 cricket. They demonstrate a player’s adaptability and the need for anchoring an innings when the situation demands. To gauge the significance of these slow fifties, it’s essential to consider the match context and the team’s specific requirements at that moment.

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