Ravi Shastri was the first Indian cricketer to hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket at Mumbai. It was followed up by the left-handed star batter of India, Yuvraj Singh, two decades later in international cricket.
The most memorable moment in cricket history occurred during the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa. It was during the event that Yuvraj Singh made history as the first Indian cricketer to hit six sixes in an over in international cricket. His dramatic performance not only shocked the game but also established him as one of India’s best power-hitters.
Who Was The First Indian Cricketer To Hit Six Sixes In An Over?
The first batsman to ever achieve this feat was the former cricketer Ravi Shastri, who did it in 1985 against Baroda for Mumbai in first-class cricket.
Ravi Shastri’s Record-Breaking Stats from That Match
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Opponent: Baroda
Bowler: Tilak Raj (left-arm orthodox)
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Runs Scored in Over: 36
Total Score: 200* off 123 balls
Sixes in the Innings: 13
Record Set: Fastest double century in first-class cricket at that time (off just 113 balls)
The Iconic Over: Yuvraj Singh’s Six Sixes Against England
On September 19, 2007, in a high-pressure Super 8 India vs. England match being played in Durban, Yuvraj Singh served one of the most stunning overs ever witnessed. The stage was prepared by an explosive verbal battle between Yuvraj and England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, which ignited fire in Yuvraj’s eyes.
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In the very next over, Stuart Broad was the victim of Yuvraj’s wrath. What followed was sheer cricketing brutality, six successive sixes in a single over, becoming the first Indian to achieve this feat in any format of international cricket.
Ball-by-Ball Analysis of the Historic Over
1st Ball: Full and in the slot – smashed over mid-wicket.
2nd Ball: On the stumps – lofted over square leg.
3rd Ball: Wide outside off – hit over long point.
4th Ball: Length delivery – hit over long-off.
5th Ball: Full toss – hit over mid-wicket.
6th Ball: In the arc – hit straight over long-on.
All the shots were clean, calculated, and displayed Yuvraj’s remarkable bat speed and timing.
Impact on the Match and Tournament
Six of Yuvraj’s sixes over had significantly pushed the Indian innings to a menacing total of 218/4, too much for England to handle. India won by 18 runs and gained immense momentum from this performance, eventually sealing the first ICC T20 World Cup they had ever played.
This was a turning point not only in the match but also in the tournament as a whole, marking India’s rise to power in T20 cricket.
Yuvraj Singh: A Power-Hitter
Yuvraj Singh’s capability to alter the dynamics of a match with a few well-timed shots earned him a place as a national hero. His record-breaking over is one of the most legendary moments in Indian cricketing history. But his contributions did not end there:
In 2011, Yuvraj played a central role in India’s ODI World Cup victory, for which he was awarded Player of the Tournament. He staged a legendary comeback after fighting cancer, winning acclaim for his determination and courage.
Cricketers Who Have Disputed a Six from an Over
Yuvraj Singh became a member of an exclusive group of players to have hit six sixes in a single over. Here’s a glance at others who have done it so rarely:
1. Sir Garfield Sobers (West Indies) The very first to do it in first-class cricket (1968).
2. Ravi Shastri (India) accomplished the feat in 1985 against Baroda in first-class cricket for Mumbai.
3. Herschelle Gibbs (South Africa) was the first to score six sixes in international cricket, in the 2007 ODI World Cup.
4. Kieron Pollard (West Indies)
Cracked six sixes in a T20I match against Sri Lanka in 2021.
5. Jaskaran Malhotra (USA) added himself to the list in ODI cricket against Papua New Guinea in 2021.
A Defining Moment in Cricket History
So, who was the First Indian Cricketer to Hit Six Sixes in an Over? The response is Ravi Shastri, and Yuvraj Singh did it in international cricket. His all-time great over against Stuart Broad stands as one of the most iconic acts in T20 cricket.
It sums up the excitement, intrigue, and brilliance of the shortest form of the game. Yuvraj’s six sixes not only won India the World Cup match but also placed his name in the hall of fame of cricket.
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