In an explosive display of power hitting, Sanju Samson took the Bangladesh bowling attack apart, hammering five consecutive sixes in the 9th over during the third T20I at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. The Indian team, having opted to bat first, was already in a commanding position, and Samson’s brutal assault only strengthened their grip on the match.
Facing Rishad Hossain, who was under tremendous pressure, Samson showcased his trademark flair and clean striking. Here’s how the over unfolded:
- 9.1: A dot ball, where Samson looked to whip it away but got hit on the pads.
- 9.2: Samson smashed the next ball over the bowler’s head into the sightscreen for a towering six.
- 9.3: Another six followed, as Samson cleared long-off with ease, displaying his IPL prowess on the international stage.
- 9.4: Samson made it three in a row, as he bludgeoned the tossed-up delivery for another maximum over the bowler’s head.
- 9.5: He wasn’t done yet, smashing the fourth ball deep into the stands, over long-on, for his fourth six in the over.
- 9.6: With the final ball, Samson swiped it over mid-wicket to clear the fielders once again, completing a remarkable 30-run over.
Samson’s heroics pushed him into the 90s, as he dominated the bowling, piling pressure on Bangladesh’s attack. His partner, Suryakumar Yadav, also played his part, racing to 48 off 21 balls with a strike rate of over 220. Together, they built a strong partnership that decimated the opposition’s bowlers.
By the end of the 10th over, India had reached a daunting 152/1, with Samson unbeaten on 93 off just 36 balls, laced with 8 sixes and 8 fours. His strike rate of 258.33 was a clear testament to the destruction he caused.
India reached 100 in just 7.1 overs, marking their fastest 100 in T20I history, eclipsing the previous record they set against the West Indies in 2019 at Wankhede Stadium. Samson’s five sixes in one over also drew parallels with some of the greatest T20I hitting feats, reminding fans of Yuvraj Singh’s iconic six sixes against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup.
With India piling on runs at a rapid pace, Samson’s knock will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most destructive innings in T20 international cricket.]
