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I Wanted To Hit 12 Sixes...: Akash Choudhary On Breaking Sobers, Shastri's World Record - Exclusive

Meghalaya all-rounder Akash Choudhary created history on Sunday (November 9) in Surat during a Ranji Trophy plate game against Arunchal Pradesh as he hit 50 runs in just 14 balls to power his side to a massive first-innings total before taking a mammoth lead too. Choudhary walked out to bat at number eight with his side in a dominant position and made the most of it. He hit six sixes in an over while making a half-century in just 11 balls. The 25-year-old hit eight sixes in a row, which is a world record in first-class cricket, going past Gary Sobers, Ravi Shastri, and Mike Procter. The Maghalaya star also hit the quickest record half-century in red-ball cricket. Akash Choudhary Opens Up In an exclusive interaction with Times Now, Akash claimed he wanted to hit 12 sixes, but the bowler's clever change of plans saw him play three dot balls in a row before their captain decided to declare their innings. "It's nothing like that, bowling is easy or not, but we were in a good situation, our team. So, my job was to accelerate the run. So, I hit the first two balls for sixes. Then my non-striker guy told me, Bhaiya, you can go for six. And that time I thought, I can go for six. Then by God's grace, I could have done 6 sixes. Then the seventh one, it was like my natural instinct took over. The seventh one wasn't planned. "The wicket was good. I was telling myself, hit straight, you can hit the ball for six. I was just going with the flow. And just trying to get as many runs for my team. Because this is a very important game for us. Because we have to get all the seven points," said Akash. "Yeah, I wanted to hit it (12 sixes). But the bowler said, let's hit 3 more. Then the captain declared, " Akash added. Akash's Cricket Journey Akash talked about his journey in the sport and claimed it started with tennis ball cricket, and appreciated the role of the Board of Control for Cricket for India (BCCI) for his improvement. "I used to play tennis ball cricket in Shillong. Then I played for my school. From school cricket, my association picked me up. And they backed me really well. Naba sir and all, Gideon sir, now secretary. They are very good with me. They support me. And the coaches I've played under, they just improved me. Thanks to BCCI, they conduct our NCA camps. Right from the 19, I'm doing NCA camps. And now senior also, they have also conducted NCA camps for us. It's very helpful for me, for a cricketer. As a cricketer, I'm improving day by day," said Akash. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya Inspirations Akash revealed that, mainly being a bowler and an all-rounder, he looks up to Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, but also claimed that Mohammed Siraj is someone who is like him. "Now, Jasprit Bumrah is there. Hardik Pandey is there. Mainly, I'm a bowler and especially not to forget about Mohamed Siraj. Because I bowl long spells," Akash stated. Talking about his batting ability, despite being a bowler, he claimed it was his plan to become someone who could hit sixes with the bat this season. "In the last game also, I scored 60 against Bihar. I scored 4 sixes there also. I had the ability because in my local matches and all, I was hitting 6 sixes. I have to convert it in the board matches. So, that is the plan this season," said Akash. On being asked if he wants to emulate Hardik Pandya, Akash said 'Yes. Why Not.' Also Read: Meghalaya's Akash Choudhary Breaks Gary Sobers, Ravi Shastri's World Record; Becomes First Player In History To... Yuvraj Singh, Ravi Shastri On His Mind Akash revealed that as he approached the milestone of six sixes, Yuvraj Singh was on his mind as well as Ravi Shastri, who was the only Indian to do it in first-class cricket before him. "Yeah, definitely (Yuvraj Singh was on his mind). Because we have seen in Ravi Shastri also. I knew somewhere in red-ball cricket, Ravi Shastri was there. He hit 6-6s. After the third, I was going like, yeah, 6. I can hit, I can hit. You can see my video. After 6, I was like ya ya I did it," Akash added. Dream To Play For India Akash revealed that his ultimate dream is to play for India in Test cricket, but he also aspires to get an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract. "Obviously, this year I played the Duleep Trophy. I did reasonably well. Obviously, every player wants to play IPL first. But that's the stepping stone. But my ultimate goal is to play red-ball cricket for India," Akash added. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Sports, Cricket and around the world.

Aayush Kataria,Karishma Singh •
I Wanted To Hit 12 Sixes...: Akash Choudhary On Breaking Sobers, Shastri's World Record - Exclusive

Meghalaya all-rounder Akash Choudhary created history on Sunday (November 9) in Surat during a Ranji Trophy plate game against Arunchal Pradesh as he hit 50 runs in just 14 balls to power his side to a massive first-innings total before taking a mammoth lead too. Choudhary walked out to bat at number eight with his side in a dominant position and made the most of it. He hit six sixes in an over while making a half-century in just 11 balls. The 25-year-old hit eight sixes in a row, which is a world record in first-class cricket, going past Gary Sobers, Ravi Shastri, and Mike Procter. The Maghalaya star also hit the quickest record half-century in red-ball cricket. Akash Choudhary Opens Up In an exclusive interaction with Times Now, Akash claimed he wanted to hit 12 sixes, but the bowler's clever change of plans saw him play three dot balls in a row before their captain decided to declare their innings. "It's nothing like that, bowling is easy or not, but we were in a good situation, our team. So, my job was to accelerate the run. So, I hit the first two balls for sixes. Then my non-striker guy told me, Bhaiya, you can go for six. And that time I thought, I can go for six. Then by God's grace, I could have done 6 sixes. Then the seventh one, it was like my natural instinct took over. The seventh one wasn't planned. "The wicket was good. I was telling myself, hit straight, you can hit the ball for six. I was just going with the flow. And just trying to get as many runs for my team. Because this is a very important game for us. Because we have to get all the seven points," said Akash. "Yeah, I wanted to hit it (12 sixes). But the bowler said, let's hit 3 more. Then the captain declared, " Akash added. Akash's Cricket Journey Akash talked about his journey in the sport and claimed it started with tennis ball cricket, and appreciated the role of the Board of Control for Cricket for India (BCCI) for his improvement. "I used to play tennis ball cricket in Shillong. Then I played for my school. From school cricket, my association picked me up. And they backed me really well. Naba sir and all, Gideon sir, now secretary. They are very good with me. They support me. And the coaches I've played under, they just improved me. Thanks to BCCI, they conduct our NCA camps. Right from the 19, I'm doing NCA camps. And now senior also, they have also conducted NCA camps for us. It's very helpful for me, for a cricketer. As a cricketer, I'm improving day by day," said Akash. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya Inspirations Akash revealed that, mainly being a bowler and an all-rounder, he looks up to Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, but also claimed that Mohammed Siraj is someone who is like him. "Now, Jasprit Bumrah is there. Hardik Pandey is there. Mainly, I'm a bowler and especially not to forget about Mohamed Siraj. Because I bowl long spells," Akash stated. Talking about his batting ability, despite being a bowler, he claimed it was his plan to become someone who could hit sixes with the bat this season. "In the last game also, I scored 60 against Bihar. I scored 4 sixes there also. I had the ability because in my local matches and all, I was hitting 6 sixes. I have to convert it in the board matches. So, that is the plan this season," said Akash. On being asked if he wants to emulate Hardik Pandya, Akash said 'Yes. Why Not.' Also Read: Meghalaya's Akash Choudhary Breaks Gary Sobers, Ravi Shastri's World Record; Becomes First Player In History To... Yuvraj Singh, Ravi Shastri On His Mind Akash revealed that as he approached the milestone of six sixes, Yuvraj Singh was on his mind as well as Ravi Shastri, who was the only Indian to do it in first-class cricket before him. "Yeah, definitely (Yuvraj Singh was on his mind). Because we have seen in Ravi Shastri also. I knew somewhere in red-ball cricket, Ravi Shastri was there. He hit 6-6s. After the third, I was going like, yeah, 6. I can hit, I can hit. You can see my video. After 6, I was like ya ya I did it," Akash added. Dream To Play For India Akash revealed that his ultimate dream is to play for India in Test cricket, but he also aspires to get an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract. "Obviously, this year I played the Duleep Trophy. I did reasonably well. Obviously, every player wants to play IPL first. But that's the stepping stone. But my ultimate goal is to play red-ball cricket for India," Akash added. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Sports, Cricket and around the world.

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