Review: Sixer

I eagerly look forward to stories that revolve around cricket. Because I am intrigued by how storytellers can carve out a relatable yet novel experience for the cricket fan in me. In the final episode of Sixer, a new sports drama by The Viral Fever, a 40-year-old Rajesh played by the affable Brij Bhushan Shukla, is seen playacting in his balcony late in the night. Why he was doing that is for you to watch and find out.

But that scene in itself hits a raw nerve. It was a trip down the memory lane. I can't remember how many times I would have done that myself. I am sure there are many others who have experienced this feeling of contentment and pride in dreaming of the cricketer we wished to become. Sixer treads on this path and gives us a tale of unflinching emotions that is raw, refreshing and steeped in nostalgia.

Created by Arunabh Kumar, Shreyansh Pandey and Shivankit Parihar (also credited for the original story and plays the central character Nikku), the six-episode season is set in Indore and traces the events and life of local tennis ball cricketers, particularly the Vijaynagar Vijetas. From names to behavioral traits to dialects, the storytelling highlights the local culture through a gully cricket tournament. Take for instance, the commentator. His unfiltered commentary style is a treat to watch and his voice and tone still reverberates in my ears.

Tennis ball cricket is not only a popular recreation but a thriving industry and source of income for many players who haven't been able to make it to the highest level. The show explores this side of the game through its central character of Nikku (the destroyer). It is a wonderfully written character and Shivankit aces it, as he does the helicopter and no-look shot. 

Other actors too are in top form. Badri Chavan as Aussie, a diehard 'Kangaroo' fan, for whom Ponting and not Tendulkar is the God of cricket, brings an element of candid humor. TVF is a master when it comes to character development and sixer is no different.

Every character is given due importance and has a part to play in the development of the story. And unlike some of TVF's latest offerings, dramatization and juxtaposition to heighten the emotions has been avoided, making the transition between emotions feel organic.

The T-10 tournament is the glue that holds the screenplay together and keeps us invested in the story. The nuances of tennis ball cricket are portrayed with astute perfection. The subplots involving the interpersonal relations of the players are equally captivating. The episodes have been smartly titled with popular words from cricket nomenclature.

But the world of Sixer is not without its flaws. The interplay between politics and cricket is something we have seen before and does not offer anything new. Even the father-son conflict. The themes of corruption and greed could have been explored better. Matches could have been shot with a bit more finesse. Also, they could have named the show better.

All in all, Sixer is a fun and thoroughly entertaining watch. It seeks to provide answers to those trying to understand cricket's deep rootedness within the consciousness of the nation. It will force you to take cricket seriously, even if it is a gully cricket match. And maybe motivate you to assemble your team and play that match which you have been postponing for a long time. I will be looking forward to more seasons to see where these characters go on from here.

Sixer is available to stream for free on Amazon Mini TV and YouTube.

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