India, Oct. 16 -- Between October 1, 2021 and October 15, 2026, India's top seven batters smashed 1,214 sixes in 152 T20Is. One thousand two hundred and fourteen, a number that seems intimidating on its own. But it seems even more so when compared to the previous five-year cycles.

Between 2016 and 2021, India's batters hit 487 sixes in 88 T20Is. The 2011-2015 cycle saw 118 sixes (in 30 T20Is) while in the 2006-2010 period 138 maximums were hit (in 27 T20Is). The jump in India's six-hitting prowess is astounding, yet worrying at the same time.

Worrying, because in the corresponding cycles, according to data provided by CricViz, India's Test batting average (batters 1-7) has gone from a high of 45.98 in the 2006-2010 cycle to 37.68 in 202...