Umesh Yadav sets a new world record in the 3rd Test against South Africa

The final Test between India and South Africa is currently being played at the JSCA international stadium in Ranchi. Indian captain yet again won the toss and opted to bat first on a tricky wicket.

South African fast bowlers utilized the conditions and reduced India to 39/3 in the first hour. Since then it was India's batting show as both Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane smashed centuries to put India in a strong position.

Rohit went on to score his first double century in Test cricket. He has also piled up 500 runs in this Test series. The Hitman could not have asked for a better start to his Test career as an opener.

The twin centuries helped India to cross 400-run mark yet again in this series. It has been that kind of series for the visitors after losing the toss on all the three occasions. 

When India needed some quick runs before declaration, Umesh Yadav came out to bat and smoked the ball to all parts of the ground. He smashed five sixes in his innings which included three sixes in one over against the debutant George Linde.

In the process, he ended up creating a new world record for smashing most sixes in an innings by any batsman without hitting a four. Previously, three players had smashed four sixes without hitting a six.  

Nixon McLean playing for West Indies, was the first to achieve this feat. He did this against South Africa in 1998. Andrew Flintoff also smashed four sixes against Australia in 2005. 

The Kiwi all-rounder, Colin De GrandHomme recently joined this elite list by smashing four sixes against Bangladesh in 2017. However, Umesh by smashing five sixes in just ten balls now holds the new World record.

The blistering knock from Yadav and some valuable contribution from lower-order helped India to declare the innings at 497/9. South Africa began their innings under overcast conditions. Mohammad Shami and Umesh took a wicket each in their first over which pushed South Africa to 9/2 before bad light stopped the play.

The tourists yet again have a tough job in their hands and it will be an arduous task for them to avoid the white-wash from hereon, given India's recent bowling form and the inexperienced and under performing South African batting lineup.

Cover image credits: Hindustan Times