Meghalaya's Choudhary Sets Two First-Class Records

In a stunning display of power-hitting, Meghalaya cricketer Akash Kumar Choudhary shattered two world records during the Ranji Trophy Plate Group match against Arunachal Pradesh on November 9, 2024, at the C.K. Pithawala Ground in Surat, India. The 25-year-old all-rounder scored a half-century off just 11 balls, the fastest in first-class cricket history, and became the first batter to hit eight consecutive sixes in the format.

Choudhary, a pace-bowling all-rounder batting at number eight, entered the crease with Meghalaya already in a commanding position at 576 for six. His explosive knock of 50 not out off 14 balls propelled the team to a declaration at 628 for six after 127 overs. The innings included eight maximums in succession, with six of them coming in a single over bowled by Arunachal's Limar Dabi. This feat surpassed the previous record of six consecutive sixes, shared by players such as India's Ravi Shastri in 1984 and West Indies' Gary Sobers in 1968. Shastri had achieved his against Baroda for Bombay, while Sobers did so for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan.

The stage for Choudhary's onslaught was set by Meghalaya's top order. Opener Arpit Bhatewara anchored the...