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400 and counting: Why India are ahead of the curve in six-hitting

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The historic 400th maximum was struck by Naman Dhir in the 19th over against New Zealand, concluding a series where the squad hit 142 sixes alone to outscore their opponents by 486 runs in maximums. Across 40 matches, the lineup amassed 2,681 runs in 239 overs, maintaining an exceptional strike rate of 189.96 and an overall run rate of 11.21. Batting experts attribute this evolution to a deep talent pool adopting fearless mindsets that routinely capitalize on minimal bowling errors. The national side is scheduled to continue its power-hitting campaign this December in a three-match series against Sri Lanka.

Key points

  • The national team achieved a 38.4 percent increase in six-hitting volume across 40 fixtur…: The national team achieved a 38.4 percent increase in six-hitting volume across 40 fixtures compared to 2022.
  • Expert coaches link the record-breaking boundary numbers to technical mastery and an unin…: Expert coaches link the record-breaking boundary numbers to technical mastery and an uninhibited batting approach across the player pool.
  • India outscored New Zealand by 486 runs purely through maximums during their recent five-…: India outscored New Zealand by 486 runs purely through maximums during their recent five-match bilateral series.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

NEW DELHI: India hit 289 sixes in 40 T20Is in 2022. Four years later, they have smashed 400 in the same number of matches, a staggering 38.4 per cent increase. And the six-hitting spree is far from over. It has merely been put on hold for eight weeks, with Shreyas Iyer's men set to resume their big-hitting exploits against Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series in December.

On the second ball of the 19th over against New Zealand, Naman Dhir's top-edge sailed over fine leg and landed 15 rows back in the stands. It was India's 400th six in 2026, making them the first team to reach this monumental milestone. Of those, 142 have come against New Zealand, the most India have hit against any opposition in a calendar year.

India's six-hitting prowess was also one of the reasons behind their 3-2 series win against New Zealand. Indian batters smashed 142 sixes, compared to New Zealand's 61. In pure numbers, that is a difference of 486 runs.

A majority of India's six-hitting has come from the designated top three,…

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