the six hitting challenge - to hit drone - Kevin Pietersen and Chris Gayle challenge

A drone is an  unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), ie.,  an aircraft without a human pilot aboard. Its flight is controlled either autonomously by onboard computers or by the remote control of a pilot on the ground or in another vehicle.  Though they are usually deployed for military and special operation applications, they are also used in varied fields – perhaps, this one you would not have thought of ! 

Before that, Al-Qaida’s most powerful franchise has announced the death of its leader, Nasir al-Wuhayshi, in a US drone air strike in Yemen, the latest blow to the global jihadi organisation.The killing of Wuhayshi, nicknamed Abu Basir -  one of al-Qaida’s top  leaders, was confirmed in a video statement by al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).The group, which is engaged in fierce fighting in Yemen with domestic opponents, is under relentless pressure from US drone strikes. While air strikes hunt down targets on the ground, is it possible to hit the drone on air from ground – no not with a missile or rocket or bullet but …..

Decades ago, crowds would go bonkers when a six was hit – they were few and far between.  Have heard Salim Durrani to be a big hitter, capable of hitting sixers at will.  We grew up seeing the likes of Krish Srikkanth, Sandip Patil, Kapil Dev – being big hitters.  Kapil once clubbed Eddie Hemmings for 4 continuous sixers in a Test averting the follow-on in time. We have seen Dhoni hit some really huge sixers.  Recently, Alex Hales hit 6 consecutive sixers – not quite 36 off an over. Three sixes off Boyd Rankin were followed off the next three balls he faced in the next over from Ateeq Javid. 

IPL has changed the way sixers are hit – in every version, there are so many – in fact in every match we have so many of them – not necessarily by players of big reputation – some unheard names too, made some big hits.  There is so much of technology too.  ICC claims that the High Definition (HD) format and audiences will  provide  the most riveting experience as each and every match will be covered by at least 29 cameras, including Ultramotion cameras, Spidercam at 13 matches and the drone camera at all the knock out matches. Technology in use includes Real Time Snicko and LED stumps.  Cricket is also covered using cutting edge 4K technology.

In net practices earlier, some players would jump out and hit a huge six, much to the entertainment of those watching.  In  IPL, we had competitions for big six [longest hits !] – recently, Kevin Pietersen and Chris Gayle took part in the 'Drone Down' challenge. The big-hitting pair were tasked with smashing a drone out of the sky – both of them known for big hitting [though Chris Gayle is in a different league of his own].  The pair were promoting the start of the Caribbean Premier League.

Gayle, who plays his international cricket for the West Indies but has recently enjoyed a short stint at Somerset, took on Surrey batsman KP in an attempt to hit a drone out of the sky.Firing balls from a machine high into the air, the winner of the 'Drone Down' challenge was the first man to smash the drone to the ground - not an easy task for the mere mortal.

At the start of the challenge, Pietersen expressed some concerns, admitting: 'It's a very small target. Accuracy and skill might be part of some people's game, but they're not part of my game, and they're certainly not part of this big man's game. It was – ‘see the ball, hit it as far, mightily and can it be accurate !’

Kevin Pietersen desperate to help England reclaim the Ashes and says he has done everything to be eligible for selection…..but he was not able to hit this time.  Eventually, despite Pietersen coming close with his final shot, it was the  West Indies hard-hitter Gayle who found the target and screamed in joy.

Gayle is able to do everything ….. other than playing for his own Nation, not entirely his fault  !

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

17^th June 2015