Meet Hockey India League umpire Coen, brother of Daan van Bunge who was hit for six sixes in an over by Herschelle Gibbs

Meet Hockey India League umpire Coen, brother of Daan van Bunge who was hit for six sixes in an over by Herschelle Gibbs

It’s difficult to forget the first instance of six sixes in an over in international cricket.

Even if one does, certain individuals will have each moment of that over from the 2007 Cricket World Cup etched in their memories for a lifetime. South African batter Herschelle Gibbs is undoubtedly one of them. Of course, Daan van Bunge, the Netherlands leg-spinner who was dispatched to all corners of the ground, is another.

In fact, the entire van Bunge family hasn’t been able to move past it even after 18 years, says Coen, the elder brother of Daan.

Coen also played cricket for the Netherlands, but unlike Daan, he couldn’t make it to the senior national team. As they say, life works in mysterious ways, and Coen found his comfort on the hockey turf instead, becoming an umpire with the FIH in 2012. He was named the FIH Umpire of the Year for the 2021-22 season.

“Well, it’s still a big pain point for us as a family, but luckily, it’s a long time ago. It’s not forgotten yet, but thanks for bringing it up though (laughs),” Coen, who is in India to officiate at the Hockey India League, says.

This is not his first rodeo in India, but he hadn’t been to Ranchi before Wednesday. “My experience has been just like the players’. It is a bit bumpy compared to the turf in Rourkela. But it’s still a great pitch,” Coen, who has officiated at Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024, said, sharing his take on the Astroturf at Ranchi, which has lately become a talking point because of its springy nature.

The 43-year-old, living out of a suitcase, loves travelling to this part of the world. He says, “This is a great experience so far (officiating in the HIL). I’m lucky enough to experience India to the fullest, and I love it. The hockey can be a bit tricky, but the excitement and show are just amazing. It’s really an honour for me to be here.”