Top 5 slowest fifties in IPL history ft. JP Duminy, Parthiv Patel

A few batsmen have scored half-centuries in more than 50 deliveries in the IPL.

In a T20 tournament like the Indian Premier League (IPL), batsmen have to score at a high strike rate as matches consist of only 20 overs. Playing dot balls is considered a sin, while a low strike rate becomes a huge setback for the team.

Therefore, batsmen are required to play aggressively from the first delivery itself. Even if a batsman scores a fifty in any IPL match, he has to reach the mark within fewer deliveries. Otherwise, his knock becomes more of a liability than an advantage. Scoring a half-century within 30 balls is remarkable, but if a batsman takes more balls than that, it is considered invaluable.

In the past, a few batsmen took more than 50 deliveries to slam a half-century in the tournament, struggling to score runs at a high strike rate. On that note, below are five batsmen with the slowest fifties in IPL history.

Batsmen with the slowest fifties in the IPL (Top 5)

5. Jacques Kallis (RCB)- 51 balls (2009)

While representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a clash against Delhi Daredevils (Now Capitals) in IPL 2009, former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis scored a fifty off 51 deliveries.

Batting in the second innings, he scored an unbeaten 58 runs off 56 deliveries. Chasing a 135-run target, Kallis played a crucial role in RCB’s victory and was awarded Player of the Match.

4. Robin Uthappa (PWI) – 52 balls (2012)

Robin Uthappa gets the fourth spot on this list, with his 52-ball fifty while playing for Pune Warriors in IPL 2012. In a clash against Delhi Daredevils in the 31st match, the wicket-keeper batsman reached his half-century off 52 balls.

He eventually scored an unbeaten 60 off 58 deliveries, taking the scoreboard to 146/2. Pune lost that game by eight wickets.

3. Brendon McCullum (KKR) – 52 balls (2010)

Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is known as one of the best hard-hitters in international cricket. He also scored the first century in the IPL; however, his name is also attached to the third-slowest fifty in the tournament.

Playing for KKR in IPL 2010 against the Mumbai Indians, the right-handed batsman scored an unbeaten 57 off 56 deliveries, reaching his half-century in 52 deliveries. However, he also played a pivotal role in KKR’s victory.

2. Parthiv Patel (CSK) – 53 balls (2010)

In IPL 2010, CSK wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel hit a half-century off 53 balls in a clash against Kings XI Punjab. In the low-scoring clash, Chennai had a target of just 137 runs, and Parthiv added 57 runs off 58 deliveries as an opener. The match ended in a tie and went into the Super Over, which KXIP won.

1. JP Duminy (MI) – 55 balls (2009)

Former South Africa star all-rounder JP Duminy holds the unwanted record of the slowest-ever fifty in IPL history. In the 2009 edition, Duminy was part of the Mumbai Indians and took 55 balls to score a half-century in a clash against Kings XI Punjab.

He added 59 runs off 63 deliveries as other batters lost their wickets cheaply. Despite a low target of 120 runs, Mumbai lost the clash by three runs after reaching 116/7 till the final over. Following the loss, Duminy’s slow batting approach was criticised by many.

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