Most Sixes in IPL
The Indian Premier League is one tournament every cricket fan waits for and craves. IPL 2020 was a prime example of what the tournament means to the fans, with the digital numbers soaring through the roof. A key reason behind the popularity of IPL is its entertainment in terms of fours and sixes. The batsmen are in their elements, and boundary lines are often peppered. But which batsman holds the record for most sixes in IPL history?
The answer to which batsman has hit most sixes in IPL is quite a simple one – Chris Gayle. No other batsman even comes close to Gayle in terms of six-hitting. The Jamaican has smashed 357 sixes in the IPL, comfortably clear of second-place AB de Villiers’ 245 sixes.
While some of the names on the top five list of most sixes hit by batsmen in IPL are obvious such as Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers, a few batsmen might surprise you. You would expect players like Shane Watson, David Warner, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, or even Suresh Raina in lists like these.
Do they feature in the list for batsmen who have hit most sixes in IPL history? Find out here.
1) Chris Gayle – 357 Sixes
Teams: Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders
It has to be the Universe Boss at the top of the pile for most sixes in IPL history. Chris Gayle is the first name that pops up anytime most sixes in IPL are being discussed. The big-hitting southpaw has made quite a name for himself, making a mockery out of bowlers all over the world, and indeed, the IPL is no exception.
Chris Gayle has played a total of 141 innings in the cash-rich tournament in which he has cracked 357 sixes, which is 2.53 sixes per match! He is the only player in IPL cricket with more than 300 sixes to his name. Chris Gayle first turned out for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2009, but it was not until 2011 that he showed his class when Royal Challengers Bangalore recruited him. 2011, 2012, and 2013 were his golden years when Gayle clocked 44, 59, and 51 sixes, respectively, in the competition.
Chris Gayle has cleared the ropes most times in IPL against his current franchise Punjab Kings – 61 sixes in 16 matches, followed by Kolkata (54 in 19 games), Mumbai Indians (44 in 19 games), Delhi Capitals (38 in 17 games), and Pune Warriors India (36 in 5 matches).
2) AB de Villiers – 245 Sixes
Teams: Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals
From one genius to another! Mr 360 degree, AB de Villiers is the second name for the most sixes in IPL history. In 156 innings at the IPL, de Villiers has smashed 235 sixes. AB de Villiers has played for two teams in IPL. He started with Delhi Capitals back in 2008 and was with them for three years before moving to RCB, where his fortunes changed. Alongside Virat Kohli, he formed a partnership and became a lynchpin of the batting unit.
In terms of six-hitting numbers, 2016 was de Villiers’ best year where he hit 37 sixes in 16 matches, followed by 2018 (30 sixes), 2019 (26 sixes), 2014 (24 sixes), and 2020 (23 sixes).
On average, de Villiers hits 18 sixes every IPL season, which is a phenomenal number.
Also Read: Who has hit the longest six in IPL history?
3) Rohit Sharma – 225 Sixes
Teams: Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers
The third name on the list for most sixes in IPL history is Rohit Sharma. Like the other names here, the Mumbai captain has been a constant fixture since the start of IPL. He might not be a basher like Gayle, but his effortless ability to hit sixes is second to none.
Rohit Sharma has played 209 matches and has hit 225 sixes in them. This number will go up soon, as Rohit has now started opening the batting for his franchise. The right-hander started his IPL career with Deccan Chargers and moved to Mumbai Indians in 2011, a side he has led to five IPL titles.
2013 was Rohit’s best year in terms of six-hitting, where he cleared the ropes 28 times in 19 matches. That is followed by 2015 (21), 2008 (19), 2020 (19) and 2009 (18).
4) MS Dhoni – 217 Sixes
Teams: Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiant
Next, we move on to our very own Thala, the man who has made the whole of India fall in love with his six-hitting prowess – MS Dhoni. Despite not batting in the top order, the fact that Dhoni is No.4 in the list of players who have hit most sixes in IPL tournaments speaks for itself. His immaculate tendency to clear the ropes at will makes him one of the most formidable batsmen to bowl to.
Dhoni has played 214 matches in the IPL, in which he has hit 217 sixes. That is an average of 16.6 sixes per season. He has so far turned out for two teams, Chennai Super Kings and the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant.
Dhoni loves playing against RCB and has hit most sixes against them, 51 in 31 innings, followed by Mumbai (31), Punjab (31), Delhi (30), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (23). Dhoni had a terrible IPL 2020 and will want to head back to his usual self come IPL 2021.
5) Kieron Pollard – 213 Sixes
Team: Mumbai Indians
Kieron Pollard has been the heartbeat of Mumbai Indians. He has played for only one team in the competition, but the impact that he has had is immense. Pollard has enjoyed the most success in terms of six-hitting against Chennai Super Kings (43), followed by Punjab Kings (40), Sunrisers Hyderabad (34) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (32).
6) Virat Kohli – 209 Sixes
Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore
There are very few batting listicles that Virat Kohli isn’t a part of, and even when it comes to smashing the most sixes in IPL history, the 32-year-old makes it to the top six. In 202 IPL matches, the Indian express has smoked 209 sixes and is fast climbing up the ladder. His strike rate might not be high, but Kohli can clear the ropes in crunch times.
Kohli has played for just one team in IPL, RCB and what an asset he has been. The RCB captain has hit the most sixes against Chennai Super Kings – 36 sixes in 27 matches, followed by Delhi Capitals (27), Mumbai Indians (27), Kolkata Knight Riders (22), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (21).
Conclusion of Most Sixes in IPL History
The likes of Brendon McCullum, Ambati Rayudu, Andre Russell, Yuvraj Singh and KL Rahul have also been pioneers when it comes to hitting the ball out of the stadium. It remains to be seen which players get on the list of most sixes in IPL in the coming future.
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