T20 cricket by design is a batsman's game, but try telling that to Akash Choudhary, a 15-year-old left-arm medium pacer from Rajasthan. Choudhary would most certainly shoot back with his most recent bowling performance in a T20 game, that reads: 4-4-0-10.
Before you go back to read that again, the bowling figures of four overs, four maidens, zero run and ten wickets actually does belong to Choudhary. He claimed all the wickets to fall for Pearl Academy in a local T20 tourney, Late Bhawer Singh T20 tournament, playing for Disha Cricket Academy in Japiur on Wednesday.
According to PTI, Pearl Academy chose to field after winning the toss and restricted Disha Cricket Academy to 156 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, Pearl Academy were bundled out for just 36, thanks to Choudhary's incredible feat.
The left-arm pacer started with two wickets in the first over, had another two each in the second and third overs and four wickets in his final over, which included a hat-trick.
But as rare and unheard the bowling analysis my sound, you would be surprised to know that at the international level there have been quite a few instances where a bowler has taken more than one wicket without conceding a run. However, a perfect ten, with a perfect economy is something that may not ever be replicated.
Below is the list of bowlers to have taken more than one wicket without conceding a run:
3.4-3-0-3 - Richie Benaud (Australia) vs India (Test) in 1959
5-5-0-2 - Gill Smith (England Women) vs Ireland Women (Women's ODI) in 1990
1-1-0-2 - Andy Bichel (Australia) vs Namibia (ODI) in 2003
0.2-0-0-2 - Mitchell Santner (New Zealand) vs Australia (ODI) in 2016
3.2-3-0-4 - Dane van Niekerk (South Africa Women) vs West Indies Women (Women's ODI) in 2017