Indian batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad set a record by smashing a record seven sixes in an over while playing for Maharashtra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-final against Uttar Pradesh. He became the first player to achieve the feat in a limited-overs game.
The 25-year-old lit up the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad by blasting 43 in the 49th over of the innings, including an extra for a no-ball, which was bowled by bewildered spinner Shiva Singh. His exploits propelled his score from 165 off 147 to 207 off 154 balls and would finish the innings with 220 off 159 balls, including 16 sixes and ten fours.
Maharashtra finished with a healthy score of 330/5 off their 50 overs after batting first. The Chennai Super Kings player joined the illustrious list of Sir Garfield Sobers, Herschelle Gibbs, Yuvraj Singh, Kieron Pollard and Thisara Perera, who all have hit six consecutive sixes in an over.
He also registered his first double-century in List A cricket and now holds the record for scoring the most runs in a single over with 42. It was the fifth-highest score by an Indian in the format. The top score in that list, Narayan Jagadeesan's 277, was also recorded at this year's Vijay Hazare Trophy, for Tamil Nadu against Arunachal Pradesh.
Gaikwad, who has nine T20 international caps and a solitary ODI appearance to his name, has shown imperious form in his 69 List A matches so far, scoring 3538 runs with an average of 55.
As the batter continues to push for a spot in the national side, India can now only draw the ongoing ODI series with New Zealand after rain forced the second game of the three-match series to be abandoned. Only 12.5 overs of play were managed as India reached 89-1.
Suryakumar Yadav, with 34 off 25 balls, and Shubman Gill, with 45 off 42, entertained during an unbroken 66-run partnership off 46 deliveries.
The umpires called the players off the field with India at 22 for no loss and the match was reduced to 29 overs a side when play resumed. But play was suspended once again less than an hour later, before it was ultimately called off.
After winning the first match by seven wickets, the teams shared points as a result of the washout, with New Zealand taking a 1-0 lead into Wednesday's third and final ODI in Christchurch.
