On this day in 2017: Chris Gayle smashes 18 sixes in a T20 innings
Many cricket fans bemoan the West Indies’ waning influence, but there is no denying that the country improved in T20 cricket over the years. Their presence gives games a tremendous sense of vitality, emotion, and enjoyment. And the legendary Christopher Henry Gayle is one of the major reasons behind the team’s growth in the limited-overs games.
The nickname “Universe Boss” perfectly captures the atmosphere that the West Indian great exudes. His unmatched six-hitting skills have undoubtedly added to his records, which include being the first player to 10,000 T20 runs, the highest individual T20 score ever (175), and the most T20 century hits (22). On this date exactly five years ago, Gayle added another achievement to his profile as he hit the player to hit the most sixes in an innings. That knock became valuable as Gayle brought the fireworks in the finals of the Bangladesh Premier League.
For the Jamaican hunk, 2017 seemed like a year to forget as everything fell out of place and nothing went as per his plans. A lacklustre performance in the IPL was followed by underwhelming results in the World Cup. Gayle had a point to make since he could see that the age factor was not on his side. And the Bangladesh Premier League proved even more beneficial for Gayle.
A stormy innings
He had a fantastic season while playing for the Mashrafe Mortaza-led Rangpur Riders, scoring runs quickly and aggressively. But the championship game was expected to be a competitive match. At the Shere Bangla Stadium in Dhaka, Shakib al Hasan’s Dhaka Platoons were the favourites to retain their championship after a stellar performance. But all their expectations of a strong defence were dashed by a “Gayle Storm.”
When Rangpur batted first, Johnson Charles was quickly defeated by the clever Shakib. Gayle was joined in the middle by veteran batter Brendon McCullum as the two started to rebuild the innings. The Dhaka spinners immediately slowed the scoring rate, making the going difficult. At the very end of the powerplay, Gayle rejigged his approach and launched Mosaddek Hossain for a hat-trick of sixes.
When Rangpur batted first, Johnson Charles was quickly defeated by the clever Shakib. Gayle was joined in the middle by veteran batter Brendon McCullum as the two started to rebuild the innings. The Dhaka spinners immediately slowed the scoring rate, making the going difficult. At the very end of the powerplay, Gayle rejigged his approach and launched Mosaddek for a hat-trick of sixes.
A significant event occurred in the sixth over when captain Shakib gouged a catch at covers, giving the wrecking Gayle a lifeline. Gayle switched gears in the following few overs as a result of the expensive blunder. Sixes flew off his bat, and other than Sunil Narine, no bowler was given any regard as Gayle bagged his 20th T20 century.
With as many as 18 sixes, an unbeaten 69-ball 146 established an incredible record that will be difficult to top by batters in years to come. Thanks to his knock, Rangpur lifted the BPL title for the first time.
