Despite Rohit and Ajinkya's Heroics, Umesh Yadav Stole the Show With 5 Sixes

On a day when Rohit Sharma brought up a double ton, Ajinkya Rahane impressed fans with a century and Ravindra Jadeja scored a half-century, it was Indian pacer Umesh Yadav's cameo that got the Internet talking.

Indians have, so far, dominated with the bat in the ongoing Test series against the touring South Africans (2-0) and Hitman Rohit Sharma's promotion as the Test opener has only contributed to the nightmare of Faf du Plessis' side.

Sharma, who is having a dream run as an opener, has, so far, smashed two centuries and brought up a spectacular double ton in the third Test at Ranchi's JSCA International Stadium Complex on Sunday. Sharma's knock of 212 has also helped him break Sir Don Bradman's 71-year-old record for the highest Test average at home after 10-plus innings.

Rohit Sharma now averages 99.84 at home. While Bradman averaged 98.22. No small feat.

While he was at it, India's vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, too, decided to have fun with the bat. Rahane smacked a glorious ton before he was dismissed by George Linde for 115.

But the show was far from over. After Ravindra Jadeja added a crucial half-century to India's scoreboard, it was the recently included pacer Umesh Yadav, who unleashed himself against debutant George Linde.

After smashing the first two balls for two sixes in his 29th over, Yadav targetted Linde again in his next, sending three towering sixes into the crowd, before he was caught behind by Proteas wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen.

Yadav scored a blistering 31 in just 10 deliveries that he faced and helped India inch towards the 500-mark. India declared its first innings for 497/9 on day two of the third Test. Interestingly, with a strike rate of 310, Yadav topped the highest strike rate chart in a 10-ball innings in Test match history.

Yadav's innings came as a surprise to many, while others were in disbelief including Indian skipper Virat Kohli.

Umesh Yadav becomes the first Batsman to smash five sixes in an innings without smashing a four in Test cricket history...

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) October 20, 2019

#UmeshYadav 10 balls in 31 run
5 sixs #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/KktZ2zSq8E

— Dipen_Ahir (@dipenahir47) October 21, 2019

#UmeshYadav becomes the first Batsman to smash five sixes in an innings without smashing a four in Test cricket history👍☺️#Mazzaaagaya
Full on entertainment! pic.twitter.com/j2OT7lL1cr

— Gauraav Sainii (@GauraavSainii) October 20, 2019

Virat Kohli's reaction after watching Umesh Yadav hitting 5 sixes..#INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/sOm95lkyCu

— Ansh jain (@Anshjai08003018) October 20, 2019

Not A Sachin
Not A Sehwag
Not A Virat
Not A ABD

It's Umesh Yadav Who Made Bowler Pray To God 💜#INDvSA #INDvsSA pic.twitter.com/tNkEpsEVBK

— TN Viratians™ 👑 (@TnVIRATians) October 20, 2019

#INDvsSA #UmeshYadav
Umesh yadav hit 5 sixes
All Indians : pic.twitter.com/9fP05fntB3

— sandesh dabi (@sandeshdabi16) October 20, 2019

#umeshyadav scored 31 off 10 ball
Meanwhile virat~ rcb ka opener milgaya pic.twitter.com/Qz4SX6A2hl

— kashish joshi (@aap_ka_kashish) October 20, 2019

Did You Know ??

Umesh Yadav's 31 off 10 balls was The Fastest 30+ score in The HISTORY oF Test Cricket ..!

Strike rate of 310.00 - the Highest SR in a 10+ Ball innings in The HISTORY oF Test Cricket ..! 😳#INDvSA#Trollvk_haters pic.twitter.com/9U8Wj9oBI4

— Trollvk_haters™ (@TrollvkH) October 20, 2019

umesh yadav in today's inning as batsman #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/tlpgFVZQHU

— hk_SONiiii (@hrhks_) October 20, 2019

Not just with the bat, Yadav provided a quick breakthrough on day two after he sent opener Quinton de Kock packing for a score of 4. He followed it up by uprooting skipper Faf du Plessis early on day three for a paltry score of 1.