India Vs South Africa Vizag Test Sees New World Record Of Sixes Being Hit

The India vs South Africa Test match in Vizag has entered the record books for the most number of sixes being hit in a match. The Vizag Test has seen 36 sixes being hit during the course of the match, breaking the previous record of 35 which was set by Pakistan and New Zealand in the Sharjah Test of 2014. The Vizag Test has already seen plenty of records set by Rohit Sharma, who scored a century in both innings of the match as an opener. However, when it comes to six-hitting, Rohit had already created a new record not only as an Indian but also in world cricket. 

In the first innings of the match, Rohit and Mayank Agarwal created a new record opening stand for India in Tests against South Africa by stitching together a 317-run stand. Rohit made 176 while Agarwal notched up his maiden Test double ton of 215. Both Rohit and Agarwal hit six sixes each while Ravindra Jadeja hit one six as India hit 13 sixes in their first innings. In response, Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock smashed centuries to give South Africa a decent fight. 

Both batsmen notched up their maiden centuries in India. Elgar smashed four sixes and de Kock hit two. Faf du Plessis, the skipper, hit a six during his knock of 55 as South Africa finished with seven sixes. With a combined total of 20 sixes in the first two innings, the stage was set for Rohit to unleash more carnage in the second innings. In the second innings, Rohit blasted seven sixes and took his tally to 13 in the match. The total of 13 sixes is not only the most by an Indian in Tests, it is the most in history and it broke a 23-year record of 12 sixes set by Wasim Akram during the Sheikhpura Test against Zimbabwe in 1996.

Also Read | Rohit Sharma Slams Centuries In Both Innings In Vizag Test, Creates Record

Rohit's seven sixes was backed with two sixes by Cheteshwar Pujara, three by Jadeja and one each by Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane.The 14 sixes by India in the second innings took the tally of sixes to 34 heading into the South Africa chase. Aiden Markram leveled the mark with a six and when Dane Piedt launched Ravindra Jadeja for a six over deep midwicket, the world record was broken. Kagiso Rabada increased the tally to 37 sixes in the match when he smashed Jadeja over long on for his first six.

Also Read | Rohit Sharma Shouts Expletives At Cheteshwar Pujara, Social Media Explodes

The Pakistan vs New Zealand Sharjah Test in 2014 would be remembered for being played when Australia batsman Phillip Hughes died after being hit on the side of the neck by a bouncer from Sean Abbott. Pakistan made 351 in the first innings with Mohammad Hafeez smashing 197. His knock included three sixes and he was backed by big hits from Azhar Ali and Misbah-ul-Haq as Pakistan hit five sixes in their innings. In response, there was carnage in the New Zealand batting. 

Brendon McCullum blasted an emotional double hundred and the knock included 11 sixes. Kane Williamson hit one six during his knock of 192 while Ross Taylor and Corey Anderson managed to hit two sixes apiece. The tailenders also chipped in, with Mark Craig hitting three sixes, Tim Southee two and Ish Sodhi one. New Zealand smashed 690, their highest Test score and their knock included 22 sixes. With a total of 27 sixes in two innings, Pakistan were facing a massive task.

Asad Shafiq blasted six sixes during his knock of 137 while Mohammad Talha and Yasir Shah, Pakistan hit eight in their second innings as the match ended with 35 sixes. However, Pakistan lost by an innings and 80 runs with Mark Craig taking 10 wickets in the match.

RELATED