4 times when a batter hit a huge 6 after being sledged by the opposition

Passing comments on the opponent team’s player or having banter is a part and parcel of the game. But sledding is something that is quite a bit unacceptable if it crosses the line away from the laws of the game. There have been instances on the cricketing field when a heated exchange of words happened between the players.

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Although, when a batter is there in the middle for batting, then it is also a task for him to maintain a focus. And, the ‘salt on a wound’ happens when opponent players come and say something to him which could down his morale. But there have been instances when batters replied to a sledging with their excellence.

So, here we’ll have a look at such four instances when a batter smashed a six just on the next ball after the opponent team’s player sledged them.

1. Manish Pandey – Indian T20 League 2020

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Hyderabad and Bangalore were locking horns with each other in the 2020 edition of the Indian T20 League. Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli went on to sledge his former teammate from the U-19 days, Manish Pandya. “Aaj nahin maar rahe shot (You are not playing shots today)” said Kohli to Manish when he was playing defensive.

The words from Kohli didn’t go down well with the Hyderabad batter who smashed a brilliant six on the next ball off Mohammed Siraj.

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2. S Sreesanth – India Tour of South Africa 2006-07

The Indian team was touring South Africa under the captaincy of Rahul Dravid. Star Indian speedster was batting for India at number 11. He happened to have a heated exchange of words with the senior Proteas pacer Andre Nel.

But just a ball after the argument with Nel, a tail-ender Sreesanth smashed Nel’s next ball out of the par. Later on, his celebration went iconic in history as he waved his bat and celebrated the six in his unique style.

3. Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag – ODI World cup 2003

India was crossing swords against the arch-rivals Pakistan in a group match of the 2003 edition of the ODI World Cup. The Indian team came to bat first in the Centurion. Pakistan introduced the lethal pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar into the attack.

Akhtar was constantly instigating Sehwag to play a hook shot on his bouncer. Later on, Sehwag told him to bowl the same delivery to master blaster Sachin Tendulkar. On the next delivery, Sachin smashed a six with an uppercut on the delivery of Shoaib Akhtar. Eventually, Sehwag ended up saying to Shoaib Akhtar, “Baap, Baap Hota hai (The dad is the dad)”.

4. Viv Richards

Former legendary Caribbean batter Sir Vivian Richards was playing in a county match in England. He went on to miss a few deliveries and Greg Thomas took a chance to say in Richards’ ears, “It’s red, it’s round. Now f*** hit it!”.

These remarks from Thomas ignited a fire in the inner of Richards who couldn’t keep his calm and smashed the next into the river that was out of the park. Finally, Richards replied to Thomas, “You know what it looks like now go and get it.”