Priyansh Arya: Never thought I’d hit six sixes in an over

Priyansh Arya hit six sixes in an over, a first in the Delhi Premier League, as South Delhi Superstarz romped to 308 for five in their 20 overs against North Delhi Strikers, setting the record for the highest total for the fourth time in the inaugural edition of the tournament.

Arya (120 off 50 balls) achieved the feat against Manan Bhardwaj in the innings’ 12th over which was Bhardwaj's second over. He and skipper Ayush Badoni (165 off 55 balls) added 286 for the second wicket in 100 balls.

“I never hit as many sixes in an over. I had never even thought about it before. But only after the fourth ball I thought I’d hit six sixes in an over,” said Arya who hit 10 sixes and 10 fours in his innings.

Badoni hit 19 sixes and eight fours and seemed like he was toying with the bowling.

Arya said that he had the advantage as he was batting against a left-arm spinner.

“I was backing myself. Because it was a left-arm spinner bowling, I thought I’d go for the big shots. I was trying to hit straight down the ground because the ball was keeping low on the pitch and I thought I’ll hit straight.”

Priyansh Arya (left) and Ayush Badoni

Arya reached his century in 40 balls. Badoni was equally quick, reaching his ton in 39 balls.  

“I always wanted to hit six sixes in an over, although I’d never seriously thought about it.”

Arya, who has two centuries and four fifties in the Delhi Premier League, said that he has worked on his consistency over the past year.

“I have started constructing innings on singles and doubles over the past one year and I am working on that,” said Arya, who wears jersey No. 18, the number coinciding with his date of birth, which is January 18.

“Ayush egged me on to hit sixes. Once we reached 200, we thought we could reach 300 today.”

Badoni said he was focussing on timing the ball.

“I had never thought I will hit 19 sixes. I was trying to time the ball. I executed it well, thankfully,” said Badoni.

“I try to maintain shape and time the ball. Whenever it hits the middle, it goes for six. I never try to hit it hard.  I just try to maintain shape.”

Badoni said that he has benefitted a lot from his experience in Indian Premier League and that is holding him in good stead as he has faced a lot of international-level bowlers.

Ayush Badoni receiving Player of the Match Award from DDCA Joint Secretary Rajan Manchanda

“It becomes a bit easy here, because when we return from playing world’s best bowlers in IPL, this becomes comparatively easy.”

Badoni expressed thanks to Jonty Rhodes who compared him with Herschelle Gibbs.

North Delhi Strikers were restricted to 196/8 in 20 overs. This is the first time in the tournament that 500 runs have been hit in the tournament.

Brief Scores

South Delhi Superstarz 308/5 in 20 overs (Ayush Badoni 165 off 55, Priyansh Arya 120 off 50, Siddhartha Solanki 3/52) beat North Delhi Strikers 196/8 in 20 overs (Pranshu Vijayran 62 off 32, Vaibhav Rawal 32 off 14, Raghav Singh 3/34 )

 

Tags : Priyansh Arya, Ayush Badoni, South Delhi Superstarz, Delhi Premier League, Cricket, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Ferozeshah Kotla