Kieron Pollard Achieves Historic Six Sixes Feat in T20I Against Sri Lanka
On March 14, 2021, Kieron Pollard made history by hitting six sixes in an over during a T20I against Sri Lanka, becoming the third player ever to achieve the feat. Following a hat-trick by Sri Lanka’s Akila Dananjaya, Pollard’s explosive 38 runs off 11 balls helped the West Indies claim a four-wicket victory. Pollard’s performance highlights the thrill and unpredictability characteristic of T20 matches.
On this day in 2021, Kieron Pollard marked a notable milestone in international cricket by hitting six sixes in one over during the inaugural T20I against Sri Lanka at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. By accomplishing this feat, Pollard joined the ranks of Herschelle Gibbs and Yuvraj Singh, becoming the third player in history to achieve such a remarkable accomplishment. His explosive performance significantly turned the tide in favor of the West Indies, who ultimately secured a four-wicket victory.
Sri Lanka, having opted to bat first, set a total of 131 for 9 across their 20 overs. The best performance for the visitors came from debutant Pathum Nissanka, who scored 39 runs off 34 balls. The West Indies’ bowlers, particularly left-arm seamer Obed McCoy, whose figures were 2 for 25, effectively restricted the Sri Lankan batsmen.
The West Indies began their innings with great enthusiasm, as openers Evin Lewis and Lendl Simmons propelled the team to 52 runs in just 19 balls. Lewis contributed 28 runs, while Simmons added 26. However, the game’s momentum shifted dramatically when Sri Lankan spinner Akila Dananjaya claimed a spectacular hat-trick in the fourth over, dismissing Lewis, Chris Gayle, and Nicholas Pooran, plunging the West Indies to 52 for 3.
In spite of the sudden collapse in the batting order, Kieron Pollard rose to the occasion. Facing Dananjaya in the sixth over, he unleashed a relentless barrage, hitting six consecutive sixes. His sequence commenced with a powerful slog-sweep and progressed with shots sent soaring over the sightscreen, long-off, and deep midwicket. Pollard’s remarkable feat placed him among an elite group, being only the third batsman to achieve this in international cricket, and the second in T20Is.
Pollard’s aggressive innings concluded at 38 runs off 11 balls, successfully re-establishing momentum for the West Indies. Though he was dismissed lbw in the subsequent over, his innings laid the groundwork for a successful chase. Jason Holder ensured a smooth finish with an unbeaten 29, culminating in victory as the West Indies reached 134 for 6 in just 13.1 overs.
In reflection on his incredible performance, Pollard remarked, “I just had to come out and back myself. It was something the team needed… I felt it was possible. I went for it and it paid off.” This match exemplified a thrilling roller-coaster of emotions for Sri Lanka, particularly for Dananjaya, who experienced the euphoria of a hat-trick and the agony of yielding six successive sixes shortly thereafter.
Kieron Pollard’s six sixes in an over against Sri Lanka on this day in 2021 stands as a sensational achievement in international cricket, placing him alongside legendary players Yuvraj Singh and Herschelle Gibbs. Despite experiencing a challenging moment in the match with a hat-trick against his team, Pollard’s performance facilitated a remarkable turnaround, leading the West Indies to victory. This match exemplifies the unpredictability and excitement of T20 cricket.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
