While the IPL is known for its fast-paced gameplay, on some occasions, a few batsmen have been really slow with their innings
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is known for its fast-paced nature and the tournament has given birth to some of the fastest records such as fastest half-centuries and centuries. However, on some occasions, a few batsmen have faced a huge number of balls to reach their 50s. Maybe they found it too hard to hit the ball quickly, or it is possible that their team needed a steady figure on the crease; we cannot determine the real reason. However, too many balls faced, resulting in merely 50 runs, is never appreciated in T20 cricket.
In the following players, we have listed some of the slowest half-centuries in IPL’s history.
In a match between Mumbai Indians and Kings 11 Punjab in IPL 2009, JP Duminy scored the slowest half century in IPL history. Kings 11 Punjab batted first and only managed 119 from the 20 overs.
It was a difficult pitch at the Kingsmead in Durban with the team finding it tough to get hold of Zaheer Khan and Lasith Malinga.
Mumbai Indians, too, did not get off to a great start, with Sachin Tendulkar getting dismissed for just one. The middle order collapsed, but JP Duminy stood firm, reaching his half-century off 55 deliveries. He was ultimately dismissed on 59 off 63 balls as Mumbai Indians fell tantalizingly short of the target by just three runs.
Duminy driving a ball to the rear
Another slow half-century in the IPL came from the blade of Parthiv Patel, who is anyway notorious for a slow strike rate in T20 cricket. Kings 11 Punjab faced Chennai Super Kings in a match in IPL 2010 at the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai, which is infamous for its slow and low surfaces.
Punjab batted first and scored 136 from their 20 overs. Chennai then lost opener Murali Vijay for a duck, but Parthiv Patel and Matthew Hayden added 65 to the opening partnership. However, after that, wickets kept falling in short intervals.
Patel made 57 off 58 deliveries, reaching his half-century from 53 balls. The best that Chennai could do was to tie the match. Unfortunately for them, Punjab won the game in the super over.
It was a blunder from Pune Warriors India who batted out their entire 20 overs and scored only 146 despite losing just two wickets. Manish Pandey made an unbeaten 88 off 56 deliveries, Robin Uthappa took 52 deliveries to score his half century and then made 65 off 58 deliveries.
As a result, the Warriors could only manage 146, and Delhi Daredevils won the match comfortably with eight wickets, courtesy of some Sehwag magic.
Uthappa playing for Pune Warriors India
The last name on the list shocked us the most. Known as the Gabbar of Indian cricket who is known for playing lethal shots from the first ball, Dhawan in 2012 reached one of his half-centuries in 50 balls. Back then, he was playing for now-defunct Deccan Chargers (former IPL champions) against Kolkata Knight Riders.
