Historic Blitz: Akash Kumar Rewrites Cricket Record Books
In an extraordinary display of power hitting that sent shockwaves through the domestic cricket circuit, Meghalaya's Akash Kumar carved his name into the record books with a breathtaking performance that left spectators and opponents alike in absolute awe. The 25-year-old all-rounder achieved what no cricketer had ever accomplished in the history of first-class cricket during a Plate Group match of the Ranji Trophy.
The Record-Breaking Innings
Coming to bat at number eight against Arunachal Pradesh in Surat on Sunday, November 9, 2025, Akash Kumar began his innings cautiously with a dot ball before unleashing an unprecedented assault that would make cricket history. What followed was pure carnage as the right-handed batsman smashed eight consecutive sixes, becoming the first player ever to achieve this remarkable feat in first-class cricket.
His incredible hitting spree saw him reach his half-century in just 11 deliveries, shattering the previous record for the fastest fifty in first-class cricket. The previous record was held by Leicestershire's Wayne Knight, who had scored 50 runs off 12 balls back in 2012. Among Indian cricketers, the record was previously held by Bandeep Singh, who had reached his half-century in 15 balls for Jammu and Kashmir in 2015.
The primary victim of Akash's onslaught was Arunachal bowler Limar Dabi, who conceded six sixes in the 126th over alone. Akash remained unbeaten on 50 from just 14 deliveries as Meghalaya declared their first innings at a commanding 628/6.
Team Performance and Career Background
Akash's spectacular performance came on the back of solid contributions from his teammates. Arpit Bhatewara, Kishan Lyngdoh, and Rahul Dalal had all scored centuries, setting the platform for Akash's late-innings fireworks. The team's massive total of 628/6 demonstrated their complete dominance in the match.
Before this historic innings, Akash Kumar had played 30 first-class matches since making his debut in 2019. His career statistics included 503 runs with two half-centuries to his name. Additionally, he has represented his state in 28 one-day matches and 30 T20 games, showing his versatility across formats.
All-Round Contribution and Match Situation
Akash's impact on the game wasn't limited to his explosive batting. He returned to make significant contributions with the ball, dismissing Arunachal Pradesh opener Myendung Singpho for just 9 runs. This breakthrough triggered a dramatic collapse in the opposition's batting lineup.
Wicketkeeper Amit Yadav emerged as the top scorer for Arunachal Pradesh with a modest 16 runs as the team was bundled out for a paltry 73 runs. Meghalaya's Aryan Bora starred with the ball, claiming 4 wickets to complement Akash's earlier heroics. At the end of Arunachal Pradesh's first innings, they trailed Meghalaya by a massive 555 runs, highlighting the complete dominance of Akash's team in the encounter.
This extraordinary performance not only established new benchmarks in first-class cricket but also showcased the emerging talent in Indian domestic cricket, particularly from the northeastern states that are increasingly making their presence felt in the national cricketing landscape.
