Most sixes by an Indian in debut T20I innings
T20I is considered the most entertaining format of modern cricket as the format experiences large crowd numbers during most games. The format gives complete freedom to the batters to go after the bowling right from ball one and unleash their beast mode. However, despite the freedom some batters are not able to break free, especially on their debut but there are also some who announce their arrival in style by clobbering several sixes in their first game. On that note, let’s take a look at the top three Indian players with the most sixes in debut T20I innings:
3. Ashish Nehra (2 Sixes) vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I, Nagpur, 9 December 2009
Chasing a massive target of 216, India were reeling at 129/7 after 13.4 overs when Nehra walked into bat. Playing his first ever game in the format, the tailender batted with complete freedom and scored 22 (13) smashing one four and two sixes in his innings. His innings was cut short due to an unfortunate run out as India lost the game by 29 runs.
2. Rahul Dravid, Tilak Varma, Murali Vijay (3 sixes)
The second spot is taken by three batters Tilak Varma, Murali Vijay and the legendary Rahul Dravid. The great Wall of Indian Cricket achieved the feat in his only T20I game against England on 31 August 2011 in Manchester. Dravid scored 31 (21) smashing three sixes in his innings.
Meanwhile, Murali Vijay scored 48 (46) smashing two fours and three sixes against Afghanistan on May 1, 2010. Tilak Varma is the latest addition to the list who achieved the feat against West Indies on August 3, 2023, scoring 39 (22) with the help of two fours and three sixes.
1. Ishan Kishan (4 sixes) vs England, 2nd T20I, Ahmedabad, 14 March 2021
Chasing a target of 165, India lost their opener KL Rahul got dismissed in the very first over for a six-ball duck. Debutant, Ishan Kishan walked to the crease at no. 3 and ripped the England bowling apart with his stupendous knock of 56 (32), smashing five fours and four sixes in his innings. The innings helped India win the match by seven wickets and Kishan was deservedly awarded Player of the Match.
