Post by : Maya Rahman

Akash Choudhary from Meghalaya made headlines during the Ranji Trophy by achieving a remarkable feat—hitting six consecutive sixes in a single over and scoring the fastest fifty in the history of first-class cricket. The 25-year-old accomplished this stunning performance on the second day of the Plate Group match against Arunachal Pradesh in Surat, placing him among a select group of cricketers.

He is now only the third player ever in first-class cricket to hit six sixes in one over, joining the ranks of cricketing legends Sir Garry Sobers and Ravi Shastri. Choudhary executed this feat while facing left-arm spinner Limar Dabi in the 126th over, smashing every delivery for six and showcasing his aggressive batting style.

Additionally, Choudhary not only hit the six sixes but also set a record for the fastest fifty in first-class cricket, completing his half-century in just 11 balls. This achievement broke the previous record of 12 balls set by Wayne White in 2012. Impressively, his fifty took only nine minutes to achieve, ranking as the second-fastest in history, with Clive Inman holding the record for the fastest at eight minutes, set in 1965.

Choudhary, who came in to bat at number eight while Meghalaya was already well-positioned at 576 for 6, started slowly but quickly turned aggressive. In the 126th over, he executed a stunning display of hitting, causing excitement among his teammates and the cheering crowd in Surat.

His explosive display didn’t end with six sixes; in the following over by off-spinner TNR Mohith, he hit two more sixes to reach his fifty, finishing his innings with 50 runs from just 14 balls, with the last three balls being dot deliveries. Meghalaya declared their innings at 628 for 6.

Choudhary also demonstrated his all-round capabilities with the ball, achieving one wicket in Arunachal Pradesh's first innings when they were bowled out for merely 73 runs. He continued to excel in the second innings, claiming two more wickets. By the end of the day, Arunachal Pradesh was reeling at 29 for 3, with Meghalaya clearly dominating the match.

This performance marked a significant change in public perception of Akash Choudhary, who prior to this game had played 30 first-class matches, scoring only 503 runs at an average of 14.37, primarily known for his bowling. However, he also showcased his batting potential in a recent match against Bihar, where he scored an unbeaten 60 off 62 balls with four sixes, indicating his growing confidence.

Choudhary’s feats not only brought him individual acclaim but also highlighted the rising profile of Meghalaya in Indian domestic cricket, inspiring aspiring cricketers. His achievement is a testament to the power of determination and skill, showing that even lower-order batters can create remarkable records.

Akash Choudhary’s innings will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most spectacular moments in Indian domestic cricket. By joining the legendary company of Sobers and Shastri, he has etched his name into the annals of cricket history, inspiring future generations through his stunning 11-ball fifty and consecutive sixes.

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