Ruturaj Gaikwad: We have witnessed many outstanding performances in cricket since its inception. And after the T20 format came into recognition, the dynamics of the game changed totally. That is why we have seen some remarkable performances in this game. But still, one record which was untouchable has been conquered on Monday. And it happened during the second quarterfinal of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022.
It came in the game between Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh at the Narendra Modi Stadium B Ground, Ahmedabad, which is underway. Star Maharashtra opener Ruturaj Gaikwad registered the second double century of the ongoing tournament. However, it was not just his double century that caught the attention. Although scoring a double century in List A cricket is also a rare sight. But more than that, it was the way he reached for it. The Maharashtra skipper reached his double century with seven consecutive sixes.
Watch: Ruturaj Gaikwad hitting seven sixes in one over
It was Uttar Pradesh that won the toss and decided to bat first. Maharastra started cautionsely with some small partnership in the middle but the skipper Gaikwad was builing the innings for a big finish. Till the 48th over, Maharastra were at 272/5. But the 49th overturned the game totally. When left-arm orthodox spinner Shiva Singh came to bowl it, it turned out to be a nightmare for the bowler.
He was on the receiving end and bowled the most expensive over in history. Gaikwad hit him for seven sixes in his over, including a six off the free hit. The bowler bowled a no-ball on the fifth ball of the over, which added to his wounds. He had to bowl one extra delivery, which gave him an extra six. With this, Gaikwad has set the record for most runs scored in an over during a List A cricket match.
He broke the previous record of Zimbabwe’s Elton Chigumbura, who hit Alauddin Babu for 39 runs during a Dhaka Premier Division game in 2013. While the bowler’s spinner has registered his name for this unwanted record of giving away the most runs in an over. He has given up the joint-most runs with New Zealand’s Willem Ludick.
At the start of the over, Gaikward was batting at 165 off 147, and at the end of the 49th over, he was at 207 off 154 balls. In the end, he was unbeaten on 220 off 159 balls with 10 fours and 16 sixes. Maharatra made a total of 330/5 in 50 overs. He became the first batsman in history to hit seven sixes in an over. The likes of Ravi Shastri, Herschelle Gibbs, Yuvraj Singh, and Kieron Pollard have hit six sixes in an over.