Third six sealed history for Aakash:From welder’s son to record-breaker, untrained cricketer smashed 50 off 11 balls in Ranji Trophy thriller

In a stunning display of power-hitting at the CK Pithawala Stadium in Surat, 25-year-old Aakash Choudhary from Meghalaya scripted history by scoring a record-breaking half-century off just 11 balls against Arunachal Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy. Aakash, who started as a fast bowler and now plays as an all-rounder, came in to bat at number eight and went on to achieve what no other first-class cricketer had ever done — the fastest fifty in the history of the format. The moment that made history Aakash smashed six massive sixes during his brief but explosive innings. “After the third six, I felt I could go for six sixes in an over,” he recalled.
He didn’t initially plan to put the opposition under pressure, but the team’s goal was to score as quickly as possible. His third six sealed the record — 50 runs in just 11 deliveries, breaking the previous best of 12 balls by Wayne White (Leicestershire, 2012). Sri Lanka’s Clive Inman had earlier scored a 13-ball fifty in 1965.
Aakash reached his milestone in nine minutes, making it the second-fastest fifty by time in first-class cricket history. Third player to hit six sixes in an over With his extraordinary hitting, Aakash became only the third player in first-class cricket history to hit six sixes in one over.
The first to achieve this feat was Sir Garfield Sobers in 1968, followed by Ravi Shastri in 1984–85. Aakash now joins that elite club. Indian cricket fans will recall Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes in the 2007 T20 World Cup — a moment Aakash says inspired his approach to fearless batting. The journey of grit and determination Born in a modest family, Aakash’s rise is a story of persistence and passion. “My father works as a welder, and my mother is a tailor,” he said. “They worked day and night to support us — my elder sister, younger brother, and me.” He grew up playing tennis-ball cricket with no professional coaching. “I never had formal training. I just loved the game and played wherever I could,” he added. From Kendriya Vidyalaya school cricket to regional and inter-school tournaments, Aakash gradually made his way to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and earned his place in the Meghalaya state team.
His performance in domestic circuits eventually helped improve his family’s financial condition. No overnight success — just hard work When asked about becoming an overnight star, Aakash humbly replied: “I wouldn’t call it a struggle — it’s a journey. Everyone faces challenges, and this was mine. I’ve worked hard from school-level cricket to reach here.” He credited his calm mindset for the innings, saying, “I was just enjoying the game. My batting confidence had grown after my last match against Bihar where I hit four sixes.” Watch Akash’s 8 consecutive sixes in the video. Dreams of IPL and team India Having played first-class cricket since 2019, Aakash has featured in 30 matches, scoring 503 runs at an average of 14.37. But he is far from satisfied. My goal is to take 100 first-class wickets and help Meghalaya reach the elite group,” he said. “Eventually, I want to play for India and in the IPL. The IPL can give me everything I’ve dreamed of. A rising star from Meghalaya Aakash Choudhary’s story — from the son of a welder and tailor to a record-breaking cricketer — is a testament to determination and faith.
His journey embodies the spirit of Indian cricket: talent rising from humble beginnings to conquer global records. With his blazing 11-ball fifty and calm composure, Aakash has already made a mark — and this, as he says, is just the beginning.