Six6: Cricket's Rarest Batting Achievement
Hitting six sixes in a single over remains one of cricket's most elite accomplishments. This feat, often called "six6" among fans, requires exceptional power, timing, and nerve under pressure.
Players Who Achieved Six Sixes
1. Sir Garfield Sobers (1968)
- First-ever in first-class cricket
- Played for Nottinghamshire vs Glamorgan
- Bowler: Malcolm Nash
2. Ravi Shastri (1985)
- First Indian to achieve this
- Bombay vs Baroda in Ranji Trophy
- Scored 36 runs off Tilak Raj's over
3. Herschelle Gibbs (2007)
- First in World Cups (ODI)
- South Africa vs Netherlands
- Demolished Daan van Bunge's bowling
4. Yuvraj Singh (2007)
- Fastest T20 achievement (19 seconds)
- India vs England in World T20
- Hit Stuart Broad for 36 runs
5. Kieron Pollard (2021)
- First in CPL
- Trinbago Knight Riders vs St Lucia Kings
- Targeted Akila Dananjaya
Essential Techniques for Six Hitting
- Power Base Setup
- Wider stance for balance
- Weight transfer from back to front foot
- Bowling Anticipation
- Reading bowler's hand position
- Identifying slower balls early
- Shot Selection
- Targeting shorter boundaries
- Using wind direction advantage
- Mental Approach
- Maintaining aggression
- Ignoring scoreboard pressure
Six6 Cricket Platform in India
Launched as Six6 Sports, this Bangalore-based organization provides:
- Specialized batting coaching
- Six-hitting masterclasses
- Biomechanical analysis
- IPL player mentorship programs
Their mobile app offers:
- Video analysis tools
- Personalized training plans
- Live session booking
- Equipment recommendations
Why Six Sixes Remain Rare
Only 8 players have achieved this in professional cricket since 1968. Key challenges include:
- Bowlers varying pace/length
- Field restrictions in final overs
- Physical endurance requirements
- Mental pressure during attempts
India's Yuvraj Singh created history during the 2007 T20 World Cup, a moment that remains iconic in cricket history. This performance significantly boosted T20's popularity in India, contributing to IPL's eventual success.
Recent Developments
- Women's Cricket: No international instance yet
- Domestic Leagues: Multiple attempts in IPL 2024
- Technology: Hawk-Eye now tracks six distances
For aspiring cricketers in India, mastering six-hitting requires dedicated practice with focus on core strength and hand-eye coordination. Mumbai's Shivaji Park and Delhi's Sonnet Club regularly host specialized power-hitting clinics.
"The perfect six isn't about brute force - it's about transferring energy from the ground through your body into the ball" - Rahul Dravid, during a Six6 coaching seminar
Future prospects include:
- Six6 tournaments in school cricket
- Specialized batting camps
- VR simulation training
As cricket evolves, this ultimate display of batting dominance continues to captivate fans worldwide, with India at the forefront of developing next-generation power hitters.