Akash Choudhary's Record-Breaking Sixes in Ranji Trophy

Post by : Mara Rahim

In a remarkable feat during the Ranji Trophy, Meghalaya fast bowler Akash Choudhary etched his name in cricket history by blasting six sixes in a single over, alongside achieving the fastest fifty in first-class cricket. This impressive moment unfolded on the second day of the Plate Group encounter against Arunachal Pradesh in Surat, highlighting Choudhary’s extraordinary skill and speed on the pitch.

Choudhary's six sixes made him the third cricketer in first-class history to accomplish this milestone, joining the ranks of legends Sir Garry Sobers and Ravi Shastri. He wreaked havoc on left-arm spinner Limar Dabi, striking six consecutive maximums in the 126th over—a display of breathtaking ability and precise timing.

Beyond the sixes, he also set a record for the quickest fifty in the format, reaching the landmark in just 11 balls and surpassing the former record of 12 balls held by Wayne White since 2012. Remarkably, Choudhary took only nine minutes to secure his fifty, making it the second-fastest in terms of time, following Clive Inman's stunning eight-minute effort in 1965.

Entering the match at the number eight position, Choudhary witnessed Meghalaya’s score at an impressive 576 for 6. He began cautiously before unleashing a flurry of boundaries. Once faced with Limar Dabi, he sent every delivery sailing over the ropes, much to the delight of the crowd in Surat while bewildering the opposition bowlers.

Choudhary's remarkable performance didn’t stop there; he followed the six sixes with two additional sixes in the next over bowled by TNR Mohith to cap his innings at an astounding 50 runs from only 14 deliveries, concluding with three dot balls. Meghalaya eventually declared their innings at 628 for 6.

Demonstrating his all-round capabilities, Choudhary also contributed with the ball, taking one wicket in Arunachal Pradesh’s first innings as they collapsed for 73 runs. In their second innings, he added two more scalps, leaving Arunachal Pradesh struggling at 29 for 3, as Meghalaya maintained control of the match.

Choudhary's previous 30 first-class matches had seen him score 503 runs with an average of 14.37, primarily recognized for his bowling prowess rather than batting. However, this innings has redefined his image, illustrating that he can be a force with the bat as well. His consistent performance across formats includes 28 List-A and 30 T20 matches.

Having shown improvement in prior matches, like scoring an unbeaten 60 against Bihar, Choudhary carried that momentum into this game, showcasing his evolution as a cricketer. With 87 wickets in first-class cricket, alongside his 37 and 28 wickets in List-A and T20 respectively, he remains a key asset for Meghalaya.

This landmark innings signifies not only personal achievement for Choudhary but also represents a proud moment for Meghalaya’s cricketing landscape, inspiring younger players. Few anticipated that a lower-order hitter could pull off such a performance, but Choudhary proved that with hard work and self-belief, greatness can be achieved.

Akash Choudhary's entry into the record books with his astonishing 11-ball fifty and eight consecutive sixes will serve as a lasting inspiration for cricket fans and players alike, marking a pivotal moment for Meghalaya in Indian domestic cricket.