With 18 sixes in Indore run-fest, India become first team in the history of ODI cricket to achieve massive milestone

As many as 18 sixes were hit by the KL Rahul-led side in the second ODI against Australia at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore on September 24.

Arun Rawal

• Sun • 24 Sep 2023

Highlights:

Suryakumar Yadav hit six sixes in his unbeaten 72-run knock.India hit 18 sixes after Steve Smith won the toss and opted to field first.

The short boundaries and a batting-friendly track at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore led to a run-fest in the second ODI of the three-ODI series between India and Australia. With 18 sixes in an innings total of 399/4, India became the first team to hit 3,000 sixes in the history of ODI cricket.

India have hit 18 sixes in an innings thrice so far. Only twice India have hit 19 sixes in an ODI innings. Opener Shubman Gill accounted for four sixes in his 104-run knock. Centurion Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul hit three sixes each whereas Ishan Kishan hit two over the ropes. It was Suryakumar Yadav who inflicted more damage in the slog overs with six sixes in his unbeaten 37-ball 72. In the 44th over of the innings, Suryakumar hit four consecutive sixes off Cameron Green.

Green bowled the joint-most expensive over for Australia in ODIs. Before Green, Adam Zampa, Xavier Doherty, Craig McDermott, and Simon Davies have conceded 26 runs each in an over in the ODI format.

The Australian all-rounder conceded 103 runs in his full quota of 10 overs as captain Steve Smith persisted with him. He became the fourth Australian bowler to concede 100 or more runs in an ODI. However, he is the Australian bowler to take two wickets despite conceding 100 or more runs. Also, it is the third-most expensive spell against India. Only Sri Lanka's Nuwan Pradeep and New Zealand's Tim Southee have conceded more runs in an ODI against India.

This was India’s highest total against Australia. It is the fourth-highest ODI total against Australia overall. In addition, this was India’s second-highest innings total at the venue.

Earlier, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer shared a 200-run partnership for the second wicket. This was the fifth 200-run (or more) partnership for the second wicket against Australia in ODIs. With his third ODI century, Iyer also gave head coach Rahul Dravid a good headache ahead of ODI World Cup.

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