Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019: Nikhil Naik sets the stage ablaze with five consecutive sixes

Naik was picked up by KKR in the 2019 IPL Auction.

Published - 12 Mar 2019, 17:42 IST | Updated - 12 Mar 2019, 17:42 IST

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Maharashtra won their Super League match against Railways by 21 runs in the ongoing edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament. After being put in to bat first, Maharashtra notched 177 for the loss of five wickets in 20 overs at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. Railways were bowled out for 156. The victory was possible owing to a superlative knock from wicketkeeper Nikhil Naik.

The 24-year-old has had a decent campaign in the ongoing event, having notched 193 runs in 11 matches at an average of 64.33. He has been a tad indifferent with the bat throughout the extravaganza, but today the hulk-like batsman put his best foot forward. The right-handed batsman scored 95 runs from 58 deliveries and the knock was laced with four boundaries and eight sixes.

Nikhil Naik wrecks havoc

The over-boundaries which he smacked, five of them came in the 20th over from fast bowler Amit Mishra. The onslaught by Naik shifted the momentum in favour of Maharashtra. In the first ball of the over, Mishra bowled a full-toss and the batter muscled it over the backward square leg region where the fielder was a mere spectator. The next ball comfortably sailed over long off.

Amit churned out a full-length delivery and Naik picked the bones out of it. The bowler changed his length to a short one and Naik was equal to the task. He stood tall and pulled it for a gigantic over-boundary over long off. Thereafter, Mishra bowled a dot delivery, much to his relief. However, he was again encountered with some harsh treatment in the final two balls of the over.

Naik, who would be representing Kolkata Knight Riders in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), targeted the deep mid-wicket region and cleared the ropes with utmost ease. The bowler would’ve run out of ideas by then. The bowler tried to bowl the last ball wide outside the off-stump, but Naik met the ball underneath his eyes and deposited it over long off for another six.