The IPL is famous for big sixes, fast runs, and “boom boom” batting. But sometimes, the game feels like it is moving in slow motion. Imagine sitting in front of the TV, waiting for a boundary, but all you see are dot balls and singles.
It does not happen often, but some players have taken a long time to reach their half-century. Let’s look at the slowest fifty in IPL history and see who holds this “turtle-speed” record.
JP Duminy – 63 Balls
The record for the slowest fifty in IPL history belongs to JP Duminy. In 2009, playing for Mumbai Indians against Kings XI Punjab, he took 63 balls to reach his fifty. That is more than 10 overs of the match!
Why was he so slow? The pitch in South Africa that day was very difficult. The ball wasn’t coming onto the bat, and he was just trying to survive. Unfortunately, Mumbai Indians lost that game by just 3 runs.
Parthiv Patel – 58 Balls
In second place is Parthiv Patel. In 2010, while playing for Chennai Super Kings, he took 58 balls to score 50 runs. Usually, Parthiv is a quick scorer, but the Chepauk pitch was being very “naughty” that day—it was slow and turning a lot.
Ruturaj Gaikwad – 49 Balls (The 2026 Record)
Even in modern cricket, we still see slow innings. Just two days ago, on April 26, 2026, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad hit a 49-ball fifty against Gujarat Titans.
The Titans bowlers, especially Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada, were bowling fireCSK lost early wickets, so Ruturaj had to play the “anchor” role (which means staying at the crease like a heavy ship so the team doesn’t sink). It is the slowest fifty we have seen in the “Impact Player” era.
List of the Slowest Fifties in IPL History
| Rank | Player Name | Balls Taken | Year |
| 1 | JP Duminy | 63 | 2009 |
| 2 | Parthiv Patel | 58 | 2010 |
| 3 | Gautam Gambhir | 56 | 2010 |
| 4 | Brendon McCullum | 56 | 2010 |
| 5 | Vijay Shankar | 51 | 2020 |
| 6 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | 49 | 2026 |
Conclusion
While we love 15-ball fifties, these slow innings show us a different side of cricket. It’s about patience and not giving up when things get tough. JP Duminy’s 63-ball record has stayed for many years, and even with the fast-paced games of 2026, it looks like his “slow-mo” crown is safe for now!
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FAQ
Who has the slowest fifty in IPL history?
JP Duminy holds the record. He took 63 balls to reach his fifty in 2009.
Who hit the slowest fifty in IPL 2026?
Ruturaj Gaikwad hit the slowest fifty of the 2026 season so far, taking 49 balls against Gujarat Titans.
Is a slow fifty bad for the team?
Not always! Sometimes it helps the team reach a safe total on a difficult pitch. But in high-scoring games, it can put pressure on other batters.
Which Indian player hit the slowest fifty in IPL?
Parthiv Patel holds the record for the slowest fifty by an Indian, taking 58 balls in 2010.
