We know the individual importance of centuries and sixes in a match, but completing a century with six makes it even more exciting and thrilling. Milestones like completing a century with a six make it memorable. There are a few very talented cricketers who have reached this milestone. It denotes a lot of characteristics of a cricketer, it displays their precision and an almost perfect illustration of their confidence even under pressure situations. It symbolizes the dominance of the batter at that crucial moment. Apart from match milestones, it also pulls and engages the crowd.
Here is a list of a few players who have achieved these milestones:
1. AB de Villiers
It is not a hidden fact how great of a player AB de Villiers has been for the teams he has played for. His name in this shouldn’t come as a surprise, knowing what he has achieved in his career. One of the instances came in 2015 when South Africa visited India for a tour, during which they entered the ODI series after winning the T20 series.
In the first match AB de Villers was convincingly playing on 98 from 71 balls and the bowler he was facing was Umesh Yadav. On the last ball of the 50th over, he hit Umesh for a six to complete his century.
2. Mohammad Yousuf
Pakistan’s one of the most elegant batters who is also on this elite list. At the end of 2002, Pakistan toured Zimbabwe in a five-match ODI series and two tests. He was phenomenal during the series. He scored 159 runs in the 2nd test of the series and 141 in the first ODI. In the third ODI against Zimbabwe, Yousuf scored precisely 100 runs off 68 balls by hitting a six on the last ball of the inning to complete his century.
3. Craig McMillan
Craig Douglas McMillan is a former New Zealand lower middle-order batter known for his power-hitting ability, especially in the end-overs. He was occasionally a medium-pace bowler. He also comes under this elite of reaching a century by hitting a six.
In 2001, in a series against Pakistan when New Zealand was in a must-win situation in an ODI match, he became the saviour. Saqlain Mushtaq was bowling the final of the inning and McMillan hit the last bowl for six and made his maiden ODI hundred that helped New Zealand to win against Pakistan.
4. Kevin Pietersen
An England cricketing prodigy, Kevin Pietersen is one of the most dynamic batters to play the sport. He is one of the best batters from England so his name in this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.
He had an exciting start during his ODI debut. In 2004, in a series against South Africa when England was down badly, he stood up. In the last ball of the run-chase, Pietersen hit a six to Andre Nel to complete his century.
5. Virendra Sehwag
The “Nawab of Najafgarh” was one most anticipated member on the list as he was known for his ability to hit boundaries and sixes. He was one of the most fearless batters of all time. One of the most iconic moments in his career was reaching the century by hitting a six.
In 2004’s Multan test against Pakistan, Sehwag lofted the shot to hit a six to complete his first triple century and became the first Indian to do so.
6. Sachin Tendulkar
Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar’s name shouldn’t come as a surprise. Sachin has achieved this milestone many times in his career. He was never known for aggressive and unorthodox batting, but out of his hundred centuries, he accomplished few in a style.
In 2010, in an ODI match against South Africa, Master Blaster reached his 200 score with his classic uppercut six. This moment has been engraved in the minds of the fans for a long time.
[caption id="attachment_74809" align="alignnone" width="800"]
Sachin Tendulkar celebrates scoring his 100th century during the Asia Cup cricket match against Bangladesh in Dhaka on March 16, 2012. He said Thursday that he will retire from test cricket after his 200th test in November.[/caption]
7. Rishabh Pant
The current sensation of the Indian batting line-up, Rishabh Pant, is known for his unorthodox batting style. His ability to hit one-hand sixes, especially in the test is loved by all fans worldwide. He has reached his century with a spectacular six.
In the 2021 England tour of India, the 4th test witnessed the masterclass of Rishabh Pant as hit a six to Jack Leach to complete his century by hitting the ball over midwicket. Fans started loving this aggressive and innovative side of Rishabh’s batting.
8. Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir is one of the most resilient players from India. He is known for his grit and determination on the ground. He shows full enthusiasm on the crease and has reached by hitting sixes two times to accomplish his centuries.
In 2009, in a test series against New Zealand, he hit a six to seal the deal and complete his century when the team struggled.
9. Rohit Sharma
The current World Cup-winning captain, Rohit Gurunath Sharma, is also on this elite list. Rohit is known for pull shots that go straight out of the stadium. Pull shots became his signature shot, especially in white-ball cricket.
Rohit is one of the most incredible white batters of today’s time. He reached these milestones with all the grace and elegance by hitting a six he loved by his fans so much.
10. Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh and Sixes are famous incidents that are aligned together due to the batter’s masterclass. He chose one of the most significant events of cricket to achieve this significant milestone. In the 2011 World Cup in a match of India against West Indies Yuvraj scored a century by hitting a six at the last moment. In that match Yuvraj scored 113 runs off 123 balls.
This was one of the highlights of his career as the occasion was quite big and he also displayed his exceptional talent with the bat.
