Cricket fans witnessed a thrilling performance at Nagpur as Indian batter Shreyas Iyer smashed his second-fastest ODI fifty during the first match of England’s tour of India in 2025. Known for his impeccable stroke play, Iyer reached his half-century in just 30 balls, solidifying his reputation as a dependable middle-order batsman.
Shreyas Iyer’s Fastest ODI Fifties
- Fastest Fifty: 28 balls vs West Indies (Vizag, 2019)
- Second Fastest Fifty: 30 balls vs England (Nagpur, 2025)
A Crucial Knock Under Pressure
Walking in at a precarious 19/2, Iyer had the daunting task of stabilizing India’s innings. His partnership with Shubman Gill proved to be the turning point of the match, as they stitched together a 94-run stand. His aggressive yet controlled approach ensured that India remained in contention while chasing 248 runs.
Jacob Bethell Breaks the Partnership
Just when Iyer was looking set for a bigger score, Jacob Bethell struck in the final ball of the 16th over, dismissing him for 59 runs. Despite his departure, his innings provided the much-needed momentum for India.
Shreyas Iyer’s ODI Career at No. 4
Shreyas Iyer has been a key performer at the No. 4 position in ODIs:
- Matches Played: 34
- Runs Scored: 1456
- Average: 52
- Centuries: 4
- Fifties: 9
Match Summary: India vs England (1st ODI, 2025)
England’s Innings
After winning the toss, England chose to bat first. Their openers Philip Salt and Ben Duckett gave a steady start, adding 75 runs for the first wicket. However, India’s bowlers struck at regular intervals, preventing England from setting a massive target.
Key Performances from England’s Batters:
- Philip Salt: 43 off 26 (run out)
- Ben Duckett: 32 off 34
- Jos Buttler: 52 off 60
- Jofra Archer: 21 off 18 (lower-order contribution)
Notable Bowling Performances by India:
- Harshit Rana: 2 wickets in one over (including Harry Brook for a duck)
- Ravindra Jadeja: Crucial LBW dismissal of Joe Root
- Axar Patel: Broke the Buttler-Bethell partnership
England managed to score 248 runs in 47.4 overs, losing all their wickets.
India’s Chase
India’s top-order struggled early, losing their openers at just 19 runs. However, Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill’s 94-run stand revived India’s hopes. Despite Iyer’s dismissal, his knock provided a solid foundation for India’s chase.
Turning Points in the Match
- Shreyas Iyer’s 30-ball fifty gave India an edge.
- Wickets at crucial moments kept England in the game.
- India’s middle-order resilience ensured they remained on track.
Shreyas Iyer’s explosive innings at Nagpur will be remembered as a crucial contribution to India’s chase. His ability to accelerate under pressure reaffirms his importance in India’s ODI setup. As the series progresses, fans will be eager to see if he can deliver more match-winning performances.
1. What is Shreyas Iyer’s fastest ODI fifty?
Shreyas Iyer’s fastest ODI fifty came in 28 balls against West Indies in Vizag (2019).
2. How many balls did Shreyas Iyer take to score his second-fastest ODI fifty?
He reached his fifty in 30 balls against England in Nagpur (2025).
3. What was India’s score when Shreyas Iyer walked in to bat?
India was struggling at 19/2 when Iyer came to the crease.
4. Who dismissed Shreyas Iyer in the Nagpur ODI?
Jacob Bethell dismissed Shreyas Iyer on the final ball of the 16th over for 59 runs.
5. How many runs has Shreyas Iyer scored at No. 4 in ODIs?
Shreyas Iyer has scored 1456 runs in 34 innings at an impressive average of 52.
