The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru witnessed a moment of cricketing history as Virat Kohli launched a towering six off Ajaz Patel, etching India's name in the record books. With that stroke, India became the first-ever team to hit a century of sixes (102 to be precise) in a calendar year in Test cricket, a testament to their aggressive batting approach and a celebration of power hitting in the longest format of the game.
This remarkable feat underscores India's dominance with the bat in 2024. The team has consistently displayed a fearless approach, dispatching bowlers to all parts of the ground with remarkable regularity. Their six-hitting spree began in the home series against England earlier this year, where they amassed an impressive tally of 72 sixes, with Yashasvi Jaiswal leading the charge with 26 maximums.
The onslaught continued against Bangladesh, with India's record-breaking performance in the Kanpur Test further solidifying their reputation as a power-hitting powerhouse. And now, in the ongoing series against New Zealand, they have achieved the unprecedented milestone of 102 sixes in a calendar year, a feat that has never been accomplished in the 147-year history of Test cricket.
This unique century is a testament to India's aggressive batting philosophy and the fearless approach adopted by its batsmen. It's a celebration of power hitting in the traditionally more conservative format of Test cricket, showcasing the evolution of the game and the fearless spirit of the modern Indian cricketer.
In the second innings of the Bengaluru Test, where India achieved this historic feat, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Sarfaraz Khan (with three sixes) have all contributed to the tally. With six more Test matches scheduled for 2024, including two more against New Zealand and four against Australia Down Under, India has the opportunity to significantly extend this record and solidify their position as the undisputed six-hitting kings of Test cricket.
