Lakshmipathy Balaji: Lakshmipathy Balaji, who plays for the Indian cricket team, is known as a fast bowler. He made his Test debut in the Indian team on 8 October 2003 against New Zealand in Ahmedabad. But his shine was seen all over the world when he hit a skyscraper six off the ball of Pakistan’s dreaded fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar. During that time his bat was broken. But this six from his bat brought silence to the whole of Pakistan.
Team India was touring Pakistan in the year 2004 and Lakshmipathy Balaji was also present in the team led by Sourav Ganguly. That team had strong batsmen like Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh. But Lakshmipathy Balaji was being discussed a lot before this tour. Balaji had bowled well before this tour. Team India won the ODI series against Pakistan 3-2 in its own home.
Lakshmipathy Balaji: He silenced the dreaded bowler Shoaib Akhtar by hitting a six
On this tour, Balaji left his mark in bowling as well as batting. But he became more famous when he hit a long six to the dreaded bowler of Pakistan team Shoaib Akhtar in the third ODI. After getting hit by a skyscraper six, Shoaib Akhtar’s face was worth seeing, his eyes had turned red. At that time, Akhtar’s fear was there among the batsmen of the whole world. But Balaji was laughing in front of him after hitting a six. During the entire 5-match ODI series, Lakshmipathy Balaji scored 45 runs. During this, 36 runs were scored only from boundaries.
#OnThisDay in 2004, the first ODI on India's first tour to Pakistan in 15 years, provided a thrilling finish. With six required from the last ball, Moin Khan was caught, handing India the victory! pic.twitter.com/dmEvWSLWNt
— ICC (@ICC) March 13, 2018
Lakshmipathy Balaji has also waved his flag in IPL
Lakshmipathy Balaji has played a total of 30 ODIs, 8 Tests and 5 T20Is in his international career. He has 34 wickets in 30 ODIs. He has taken 27 wickets in 15 innings in Test matches and 10 wickets in 5 T20 matches. He has also played for Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings in IPL. Balaji has taken 76 wickets in 73 IPL matches. He has also scored 2028 runs in his IPL career. This fast bowler took a hat-trick against Kings 11 Punjab in the first edition of the Indian Premier League and created history.
Happy Birthday Lakshmipathy Balaji
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) September 27, 2024
8 Tests, 27 Wickets
30 ODIs, 34 Wickets
5 T20Is, 10 Wickets
First Bowler to take an IPL Hat-trick
& That SIX off Shoaib Akhtar in 2004.
CC – @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/iLEbUp96L2