In a stunning display of power in his strokes, Ruturaj Gaikwad hit seven consecutive sixes off the bowling of Shiva Singh during the quarter-final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022 between Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, leaving fans and players in complete disbelief.
During a dramatic over at the Narendra Modi Stadium, B Ground in Ahmedabad, Shiva faced a relentless attack from Gaikwad. The Maharashtra captain started off with four consecutive sixes.
On the fifth delivery, Singh’s troubles intensified when he overstepped the line and Ruturaj Gaikwad took advantage of the situation by sending the ball over the boundary as well. The punishment continued unabated and the last two legal deliveries of the over also turned into sixes against the Uttar Pradesh player.
Ruturaj Gaikwad’s record-breaking seven sixes off a shattered Shiva Singh
This remarkable display of power with the bat not only secured Ruturaj Gaikwad’s double century but also helped him etch his name in the record books as the first player to hit seven sixes in a single over in limited-overs cricket.
The brutal onslaught of Ruturaj Gaikwad’s innings overshadowed Shiva’s attempt to hold back the onslaught, which was a brutal reminder of the harsh realities bowlers face in high-stakes games. Amid the onslaught, the Under-19 World Cup winner was caught in a whirlwind of emotions.
The incessant barrage of sixes not only left him battered on the field but also mentally shaken, as Shiva recalled, the toughest day of his career so far after two years. The magnitude of the situation left him questioning his future in the game.
It wasn’t just the runs conceded, but also the weight of public scrutiny and personal doubts that hit him hardest. The aftermath of this horrific display left Shiva struggling with intense self-doubt.
I felt I should quit cricket: Shiva Singh
Phone calls from friends and constant comparisons with other players who have suffered similar disasters, such as Stuart Broad, only increased his anguish. He admitted he had thought about quitting cricket as he struggled to regain his composure and confidence.
Shiva Singh said in a viral video, “I mean, I got hit for 7 sixes but I couldn’t concentrate on the match. A lot of people called me at that time. I felt that I should quit cricket. What will I do in the future? I mean, I couldn’t face people at that time. I mean, I know it was very difficult for me to cut a week. Everyone was giving me an example of Stuart Broad. But I couldn’t understand that at that time.”
“I couldn’t concentrate on my game, I thought about quitting cricket because I couldn’t stop facing people.”
– 2018 U-19 World Cup winner Shiva Singh talks about the ‘7 sixes incident’ with #RuturajGaikwad pic.twitter.com/45v6WUHnmt
— Max Unwell (@thalaterritory) September 16, 2024
Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s explosive innings played a crucial role in Maharashtra’s convincing 58-run win over Uttar Pradesh in the quarter-finals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022 in Ahmedabad.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (43 runs) surpassed Zimbabwe’s Elton Chigumbura, who previously held the record for most runs in an over with 39 runs during a Dhaka Premier Division match in 2013.
The 43 runs conceded in that over by Shiva tied for the most expensive over in List A cricket history. This record is shared by Northern Districts’ Brett Hampton and Joe Carter, who conceded 43 runs off an over by Central Districts’ Willem Ludick in a Ford Trophy match in 2018.