Two years ago, on a memorable day at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, an electrifying talent announced his arrival on the international stage.
Suryakumar Yadav, known for his exploits in India's domestic circuit and the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Mumbai Indians, finally donned the Indian jersey in the second T20I against England.
While he missed a chance to bat on his debut, fate had something extraordinary in store for him in the fourth T20I.
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Facing England's fiery pacer Jofra Archer, known for his lethal speed and accuracy, Suryakumar stood tall at the crease, ready to face his first delivery in international cricket. Archer, aware of the challenge ahead, bowled a rapid short ball, attempting to unsettle the debutant.
But Suryakumar was undeterred and unleashed a breathtaking hook shot that sent the ball sailing over the boundary ropes for a spectacular six. It was a stroke of sheer audacity and courage, a statement that he belonged on the grandest stage of them all.
How many batters have started their T20 international career with a six?
Suryakumar Yadav's audacious first-ball six catapulted him into an exclusive club of players who have achieved this rare milestone against full-member nations in T20Is.
The illustrious list includes Pakistan's Sohail Tanvir, West Indies' Jerome Taylor, Xavier Marshall, Kieron Pollard and Tino Best, South Africa's Mangaliso Mosehle, and India's Suryakumar Yadav.
Here's the list of players who scored a six off their first balls in T20Is:
| Player | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Sohail Tanvir | India | 14th Sep, 2007 |
| Jerome Taylor | South Africa | 18th Jan, 2008 |
| Xavier Marshall | Australia | 20th Jun, 2008 |
| Kieron Pollard | New Zealand | 26th Dec, 2008 |
| Tino Best | Pakistan | 28th Jul, 2013 |
| Mangaliso Mosehle | Sri lanka | 20th Jan, 2017 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | England | 18th Mar, 2021 |
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While India lost the fourth T20I against England, Suryakumar's blazing knock of 57 off 31 balls left an indelible mark.
His first-ball six will forever be remembered as a moment of audacity, passion, and talent coming together.
