The rise of calculated six hitters

[Don]

While watching Unmukt ChandÃÔ six 6ÃÔ in the under 19 cricket world cup final a thought occurred to me. Cricket has always had some exceptional six hitters and sixes are always well appreciated by everyone because of its inherent riskiness and maximum reward, the ultimate gratification for an average fan. From Farrookh Engineer and Garry Sobers in the 60ÃÔ to Sanath Jayasuriya and Adam Gilchrist in the 90ÃÔ. In between we have also had AfridiÃÔ and Pathans who have made a living by clearing the boundary by a long margin at will. And with the rise of twenty20 we have seen a plethora of these six hitters come and go. But what has been extra ordinary is the rise of calculated six hitters. The likes of DhoniÃÔ, GayleÃÔ and YuvrajÃÔ. These calculated six hitters are very capable of playing sedate, sensible cricket but they also have the ability to suddenly go for an calculated assault. Either right at the end to finish off a game, powerplay overs, last 10 overs of the first innings to boost the total or targeting the often weak 5th bowler. When it comes to calculated six hitting in all forms of the game, one man actually stands out head and shoulders above everyone and that is the Indian captain. From his most famous six in winning the 2011 world cup in Mumbai, to the extraordinary 112m hit against Clint McKay in the VB series earlier this year to the amazing helicopter shot against Lasith Malinga in the IPL. Chris GayleÃÔ 159 sixes in the IPL whilst maintaining an overall average of over 50 is simply outstanding by any yardstick while YuvrajÃÔ six sixes in the world twenty20 world cup will long live in the memory of all cricket fans. But it didnÃÕ always used to be like that. On average six hitting was much more random, instinctive and rush of blood type of activity. Pakistani fans will testify to the highs of seeing Afridi destroy bowling attacks but more often than not skying the ball and walking back to the pavilion dejectedly. Consistent six hitting was only seen from the very top class batsman, who had spent good time in the middle and were facing average bowling. The rise of calculated six hitters has changed all that. While you always need to be a top class batsman to hit any international class bowler for six, the timing and bowling standard have changed drastically. What has helped immensely certainly in the last 12 months is two new balls from either end meaning the ball is harder for longer and therefore more conducive to six hitting. But the biggest change has been mindset. We have seen a number of times Dhoni letting the runrate creep to astronomical sizes by sedate low risk batting and then targeting one or two overs at the end to hit calculated sixes to bring it all back. And it is that very mindset that Ū can bring anything back is in my opinion has been the important crux of this calculated six hitting. Unmukt Chand displayed similar qualities today against Australian colts. Batting almost as if he was in test match at times he let the run rate creep to almost 6.5 (not quite dhonish) but still extraordinarily high in the context of the Tony Ireland pitch in the last two weeks and the enormity of the occasion. But inevitably the calculated six hitting let him pull the cat out of the bag. He absolutely smoked Turner first for the longest six the tournament has seen while requiring 73 from 66. Then once his counterpart Bosisto had dropped him with 50 runs to go, he rubbed the salt in the wounds by smoking Gregory for another straight six. Chand the dictionary welding, diary writing thoughtful man that he is also has a sense for occasion, so fittingly he also completed his third century in four u19 finals with a lofted coverdrive for 6. All very impressive but what struck me the most was the last over of the game. With 5 runs to go he had a chance to emulate Dhoni by hitting the offspinner for a six and winning the world cup final. Sensing the same, he came down but at the last moment pulled out as the ball just wasnÃÕ there to be hit. After working so hard all day he did not want to give it all away in a rush of blood, he wanted to be there at the end even if Smit Patel got to glory of hitting the winning runs. He didnÃÕ do it simply because it did not fit his calculations of risk and reward. Thus the calculated six hitter got the ultimate glory of scoring a century in the final of world cup and bring his team home unbeaten. What was even more astonishing was his interview after the game, he was still dazed, the feeling still hadnÃÕ sunk it, he said ÅÉe was still in the zone? What he meant was his mind was still calculating risk and reward and to hit big shots or not. It will be interesting to see how the BCCI selectors treat him over the next few months. There are compelling arguments for him to compete in a full domestic seasons and getting used to rigours of the domestic game. But if his this innings to go by it is simply a matter of time before the india callup comes along. International cricket can do with more calculated six hitting.

[Ultimate_Game]

Nice write-up and yeah we've seen more of batsmen who can go big if they so desire but play %ge cricket. Hope Unmukt continues doing so for Indian team in the future

[GautiMaan]

Nice post. I think we could safely add Suresh Raina to the calculated six hitters bracket

[Lord]

tldr

[Manny_Pacquiao]

it was a really, really difficult innings to play. the highlights will make it look like it was easy, as will the margin of victory, but if you watched it live, ball by ball, you would know that he had to work seriously hard to get those runs. there were certain passages of play when his partner was unable or simply incapable of scoring. three maidens in a row at one stage, and after the partnership with baba, the runs dried up completely and he barely got any strike. at times, they were going at less than 1 run an over. this makes it really difficult for a batsman because it can KILL the momentum and the rhythm you have built up during the course of your innings...you need to refocus and sort of 'start again'. on top of that, you have to manage your nervous partner and help him through his innings. chand managed his innings pretty well, and even if he did get a little desperate for boundaries, it was because he NEEDED to find one or two to get something out of the over. in a way, losing those wickets early on was a good thing for chand, because the situation required him to settle down. when the runs were coming easily, he was backing himself to hit boundaries against every single bowler, a bit of overconfidence (which is fair enough, because he is THAT good) could have done him in, but once the wickets fell and the runs dried up, he adapted his game and batted more methodically - thats the sign of a good player. got stuck in and backed himself to bat through. a lot of the imbeciles on this forum accused chand of playing like sehwag (even though thats wrong, i dont see how thats a bad thing, but there u go), throwing his wicket away, etc. but he only HAD to take chances because there was no strike rotation from the other end. imagine what this guy could do in the indian team, batting alongside guys like gambhir, kohli, dhoni, etc. who find gaps and rotate strike with ease...he would have the freedom to bat normally and he would be unstoppable.

[jairamesh]

Another player to watch out for is Mumbai's Suryakumar Yadav. He had phenomenal 1st full Ranji season, where he averaged over 70 at a strike rate of 85 plus! He is only 21.

[Lord]

Another player to watch out for is Mumbai's Suryakumar Yadav. He had phenomenal 1st full Ranji season' date=' where he [b']averaged over 70 at a strike rate of 85 plus! He is only 21.

Mandeep Singh as well

[Ultimate_Game]

Along with Suryakumar and Mandeep, I also have high hopes from Ishank Jaggi.

[jairamesh]

Along with Suryakumar and Mandeep' date= I also have high hopes from Ishank Jaggi.

Both good prospects, especially Mandeep Singh. But I would still say Surya Yadav is on different level from Mandeep and Chand, in terms of ability if his last domestic season isn't a one off. :nervous: I would claim (based on Ranji numbers only, haven't seen him play live enough besides that 20 odd runs in the Champions League) he is probably the someone nearest to Sehwag we have. Seriously averaging 70 odd at a SR of 85+ last season in about 13 First Class games!:hatsoff: In his only Duleep Trophy game he smashed a run a ball 130 odd runs (vs Dinda, Shami Ahmed and Nadeem), whilst everyone else were going around the usual SR of 60. (Pujara also played in this game). Good news is he is in the India A tour to NZ.

[Ultimate_Game]

Both good prospects, especially Mandeep Singh. But I would still say Surya Yadav is on different level from Mandeep and Chand, in terms of ability if his last domestic season isn't a one off. :nervous: I would claim (based on Ranji numbers only, haven't seen him play live enough besides that 20 odd runs in the Champions League) he is probably the someone nearest to Sehwag we have. Seriously averaging 70 odd at a SR of 85+ last season in about 13 First Class games!:hatsoff: In his only Duleep Trophy game he smashed a run a ball 130 odd runs (vs Dinda, Shami Ahmed and Nadeem), whilst everyone else were going around the usual SR of 60. (Pujara also played in this game). Good news is he is in the India A tour to NZ.

Hope all of them do well along with u-19 players like Baba, Harmeet, Ravikant, Sandeep, Zol etc.

[bajrang]

n his only Duleep Trophy game he smashed a run a ball 130 odd runs (vs Dinda, Shami Ahmed and Nadeem), whilst everyone else were going around the usual SR of 60. (Pujara also played in this game). Good news is he is in the India A tour to NZ.

wish they show india A matches on tv, would watch just for him. .:yay: