It’s raining sixes in South Africa!

The first T20 (“twenty-twenty”) cricket world cup being played in South Africa has shown that what Sunil Gavaskar calls “ultra limited overs” cricket is loaded against bowlers. But interestingly, many games in the tournament thus far have proved that contrary to popular perception, batesmen do not need to “slog” to score even at the frenetic 1.5-2 runs per ball. Good “cricketing shots” can be just as productive. Shoaib Malik and Misbah ul Haq did not have to “slog” their way to victory over Australia. In yesterday’s South Africa vs New Zealand game, Justin Kemp proved exactly the same point. But even without slogging, the number of boundaries and sixes that get hit in a T20 match is amazing. (And to think that 50 over games can go by without a single six being hit by either team). 

But without a question, the most scintillating display of batting pyrotechnics in the tournament so far (and indeed, in any form of cricket for some time now) was Yuvraj Singh’s single-handed destruction of England bowler Stuart Broad. 6 successive sixes at Kingsmead (Durban) came almost effortlessly from Yuvi’s bat yesterday (OK, so one was a mistimed shot that comes this close to being a “slog”). Yuvi now holds the record for the fastest 50 runs scored in any form of cricket- off a mere 12 balls.

Whether it was Flintoff’s remarks to Yuvraj or his spotting of Dimitri Mascarenhas halfway through the over- and the desire for revenge-that caused the rush of blood, will probably never really be known (in spite of Yuvi’s own statements). But this should go some way in alleviating Yuvraj’s misery at having conceded so many sixes off his bowling in England. And without a doubt, young Stuart Broad will have nightmares that will prominently feature Yuvraj Singh (not unlike what Shane Warne confessed to after receiving a royal, “Sachin Tendulkar class” working over some years ago). Flintoff was seen shaking his head almost in disbelief, while Collingwood described it as the best “striking” he has ever seen.

All in all, an amazing performance. Go India!- or should I say “chak de India”!