Among other changes Twenty20 has brought, one has had a far-reaching effect on the sport, literally. With the batsmen under constant pressure to score briskly, a lot of sixes are being hit these days — the number is smaller than last year but the IPL’s second season has still witnessed 399 in 46 matches.

What may seem like a simple, albeit thrilling, act of the ball sailing over the ropes is actually a product of power, instinct, pre-meditation and hours of practice, say the men who have perfected the art. “Any batsman will say there’s a fair bit of instinct in those shots. It’s a great thing to be able to react so fast to the deliveries. But most of the shots are pre-meditated. Yes, to be among the big-hitters, you will have to go with the flow,” says Adam Gilchrist, who tops the big-hitters’ chart with 21 sixes in 11 matches.

METHOD IN MADNESS

Matthew Hayden, who dons the orange cap, says a lot of on-the-spot planning is required before executing such shots. “Sometimes there are certain factors to be taken into account such as the size of the stadium or the area which you are targeting, the breeze, the match situation, the pace et cetera,” says Hayden. “The idea is to minimise the risk while playing the shot and maximise the returns. So there’s a fair bit of planning that comes along besides the urge to hit that one ball.”

And although it is power-hitting, it’s also a mind game between the batman and the bowler. Hayden stresses the need to read a bowler’s mind. “There are quite a few different styles of bowling that teams have adopted in the IPL,” he says. “Some teams have decided to take the short of length area and others have fallen back on the yorkers. So when you are pre-meditating the shot, it’s important to know what to expect from the other side.”

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