Jonny Bairstow’s 34-Run Over: The SA20 Record That Left Maharaj Shattered in Centurion

6,6,6,4,6,6: Bairstow unleashes carnage in Centurion; Maharaj endures costliest SA20 over

It wasn’t just an over. It was an earthquake in slow motion. On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at SuperSport Park in Centurion, Jonny Bairstow didn’t merely hit sixes—he rewrote the SA20 record books in one brutal, breathtaking sequence: 6, 6, 6, 4, 6, 6. That’s 34 runs in six legal deliveries off South African spinner Keshav Maharaj—the highest single-over tally in the history of the SA20 league .

The over didn’t just shift momentum; it shattered Pretoria Capitals’ resolve and turned what looked like a competitive chase into a walk in the park for Sunrisers Eastern Cape. For a fleeting moment, the entire cricketing world leaned in: was Bairstow about to join Yuvraj Singh and a handful of legends in the pantheon of men who’ve hit six sixes in an over? The fourth ball—a powerful four—denied that ultimate fantasy, but the damage was already historic, humiliating, and utterly match-defining.

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The Ball-by-Ball Carnage: 6, 6, 6, 4, 6, 6

Bowling the 12th over of Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s innings, Keshav Maharaj—a seasoned international spinner known for his economy—delivered what turned out to be a nightmare sequence:

  1. Ball 1: Full and leg-side. Bairstow swivels and launches it over deep midwicket for six.
  2. Ball 2: Slightly shorter. Bairstow rocks back and muscles it over long-on. Another six.
  3. Ball 3: On middle stump. He clears his front leg and deposits it straight down the ground. Three sixes in a row.
  4. Ball 4: A clever slower ball. Bairstow mis-times it slightly—but still finds the gap at deep square leg for four. The crowd groans in unison.
  5. Ball 5: Back to a regular pace. Smashed over extra cover. Six.
  6. Ball 6: Full toss. Gone! Into the stands beyond long-off. The sixth maximum of the over (fifth six).

Final tally: 34 runs. The scoreboard flickered. Teammates rushed to the boundary to celebrate. Maharaj stood frozen at the top of his mark—a picture of disbelief.

Jonny Bairstow SA20 and the Art of Red-Hot Power Hitting

This wasn’t blind aggression. It was precision violence. Bairstow, who has reinvented himself as a T20 finisher after his Test career, showed why franchises pay millions for his services. His hand-eye coordination, minimal backlift, and explosive core strength allow him to generate immense power even on slightly mistimed shots—like that crucial fourth-ball four.

What makes this over even more remarkable is the context: it came against a quality left-arm orthodox bowler in a high-stakes league match, not in a dead rubber or a low-pressure fixture. Bairstow wasn’t just scoring runs—he was sending a message about dominance and timing.

He went on to finish with a blistering 82 off 45 balls, but it was that one over that won the game before the 15th over even began .

Keshav Maharaj: The Psychological Toll of a Record-Breaking Over

For Maharaj, a veteran of 38 Tests and 63 T20s, this was a rare public unraveling. Known for his composure and variations, he was left with no answers. Post-match, he admitted, “I just kept bowling in the slot. Against a player like that, you pay the price instantly” .

His figures ballooned to 1/48 in 4 overs—well above his SA20 career economy of 7.2 runs per over . More than the stats, it was the helplessness in his body language that spoke volumes. In modern T20 cricket, even the best can be humbled in 36 seconds.

Match Impact: How One Over Decided the Game

Before the 12th over, Sunrisers Eastern Cape were at 89/2 in 11 overs, chasing 178. The required run rate was climbing, and pressure was building. After Bairstow’s 34-run explosion, the equation flipped completely.

That single over accounted for nearly 20% of the total target. By the time Bairstow was dismissed in the 16th over, his team needed just 28 more runs. They won with 4.3 overs to spare—a margin that felt impossible just minutes earlier .

Pretoria Capitals, who have now lost three consecutive home games in the 2026 SA20 season, were left demoralized. Their bowling attack, once a strength, looked fragile and outmatched.

How This Over Ranks in Global T20 Lore

Globally, Bairstow’s 34-run over stands among the most destructive in franchise T20 history:

  • Yuvraj Singh (2007, T20 World Cup vs England): 36 runs (6 sixes) – the original gold standard.
  • Shivam Dube (2024, ILT20 vs MI Emirates): 35 runs – current global franchise record.
  • Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Liam Livingstone: Multiple 30+ run overs across leagues.
  • Jonny Bairstow (2026, SA20 vs Pretoria Capitals): 34 runs – new SA20 record .

What sets Bairstow’s feat apart is the quality of the bowler and the match situation—making it arguably the most impactful 34-run over in recent memory.

[INTERNAL_LINK:most-expensive-overs-in-t20-history] Explore the full list of the costliest overs in T20 cricket history.

What It Means for the SA20 Legacy

This moment cements the SA20’s growing reputation as a league where global stars deliver unforgettable performances. From Rashid Khan’s wizardry to Bairstow’s brute force, the tournament is quickly becoming a highlight reel for T20 purists.

For Sunrisers Eastern Cape, it’s a statement of intent. For Pretoria Capitals, it’s a harsh lesson in how quickly momentum can vanish. And for fans? It’s the kind of over that gets replayed for years—a perfect storm of skill, timing, and sheer audacity.

Conclusion

Jonny Bairstow’s 34-run over in Centurion wasn’t just about runs—it was a masterclass in seizing the moment. It showcased the brutal beauty of T20 cricket, where a single over can immortalize a player and haunt a bowler. As the SA20 2026 season heats up, one thing is clear: Bairstow’s “6,6,6,4,6,6” sequence has already secured its place in league folklore.

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