Since its inception in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has captivated cricket fans worldwide with its fast-paced, high-scoring matches. Among them, batters raining down boundaries have been one of the primary reasons for this entertainment.
The IPL has witnessed some extraordinary performances from batters, fielders, and bowlers, but the biggest hits that fans have loved watching are the sixes. Hitting sixes has become synonymous with T20 cricket, and the IPL has seen some of the best six hitters in its history. Here, we will look at the players who have hit the most sixes in IPL history.
Most Sixes in IPL Scored So Far
Chris Gayle Snatches the Title!
Chris Gayle has made a name for himself as one of the most prolific six hitters in the history of the IPL. Gayle has set multiple records for hitting the most sixes in a single season of the IPL. He has achieved this feat more than once, topping the charts in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015. In 2012, Gayle set a record by hitting the most sixes in a single IPL season, with 59 sixes.
This record still stands to this day. Gayle has also hit 44 sixes in 2011, 51 sixes in 2013, and 38 sixes in 2015. These incredible performances have solidified Gayle’s position as one of the most dangerous and exciting batsmen to watch in the IPL. Chris Gayle smashed a total of 357 sixes in 142 matches, for a strike rate of almost 150.
Most Sixes in IPL from 2008 to 2022
| S. No | Player | Matches | Year | Most Fours |
| 1. | Sanath Jayasuriya | 14 | 2008 | 31 |
| 2. | Adam Gilchrist | 16 | 2009 | 29 |
| 3. | Robin Uthappa | 16 | 2010 | 27 |
| 4. | Chris Gayle | 16 | 2011 | 44 |
| 5. | Chris Gayle | 12 | 2012 | 59 |
| 6. | Chris Gayle | 15 | 2013 | 51 |
| 7. | Glen Maxwell | 16 | 2014 | 36 |
| 8. | Chris Gayle | 14 | 2015 | 38 |
| 9. | Virat Kohli | 16 | 2016 | 38 |
| 10. | Glen Maxwell | 14 | 2017 | 26 |
| 11. | Rishabh Pant | 14 | 2018 | 37 |
| 12. | Andre Russell | 14 | 2019 | 52 |
| 13. | Ishan Kishan | 14 | 2020 | 30 |
| 14. | KL Rahul | 13 | 2021 | 30 |
| 15. | Jos Buttler | 17 | 2022 | 45 |
Most Sixes in IPL 2008
Sanath Jayasuriya was one of the top-performing players in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. He played for the Mumbai Indians team and was their leading run-scorer with 514 runs in 14 matches at an average rate of 36.71.
Sanath Jayasuriya was also the most entertaining player in the first season of the IPL, as he hit the most sixes in IPL during that season with a total of 31 in 14 innings. This was the highest number of sixes hit by any player in the tournament, and he delighted the fans with his big hits.
Most Sixes in IPL 2009
Adam Gilchrist was one of the top-performing players in the IPL 2009 season. He played for the Deccan Chargers team, and his exceptional performance led them to the title victory. Gilchrist was their captain and opening batsman and played a crucial role in the team’s success. In IPL 2009, Adam Gilchrist hit the most sixes, with a total of 29 sixes in 16 matches.
Gilchrist was also the 2nd-highest run-scorer in IPL 2009, with 495 runs in 16 innings at an average of 30.93 and a strike rate of 152.82. His brilliant performances with the bat and exceptional captaincy helped the Deccan Chargers win their first IPL title.
Most Sixes in IPL 2010
Robin Uthappa was the player who hit the most sixes in the IPL 2010 season, with a total of 27 sixes in 16 matches. He played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore team and entertained the fans with his big hits throughout the tournament. Uthappa was the team’s 3rd-highest run-scorer, with 374 runs in 16 innings at an average of 31.16 and a strike rate of 172.02. He hit three half-centuries in the tournament.
Most Sixes in IPL 2011
In the IPL 2011 season, Chris Gayle was the star player who dominated with the bat for the Royal Challengers Bangalore team. Gayle’s impressive performance with the bat made him the highest run-scorer of the tournament, with 608 runs in just 12 matches at an average of 67.55 and a strike rate of 183.13.
Gayle’s power-hitting ability was on full display in IPL 2011, as he hit a total of 44 sixes in the tournament, which was the highest number of sixes hit by any player in that season. He entertained the fans with his big hits and made sure that almost every ball he faced went flying over the boundary ropes.
Most Sixes in IPL 2012
Gayle’s dominance with the bat in the IPL 2012 was unmatched, and he proved to be a nightmare for the bowlers. His ability to hit the ball out of the park at will and score runs consistently made him one of the most dangerous batsmen in the tournament.
Gayle’s power-hitting ability was on full display in the IPL 2012, and he scored a total of 733 runs in the tournament at an impressive average of 61.08 and a strike rate of 160.74. He hit seven half-centuries in the tournament. He also scored the most sixes in IPL 2012. Gayle hit a total of 59 sixes in 15 matches, which was the highest number of sixes hit by any player in any single IPL season.
Most Sixes in IPL 2013
Chris Gayle once again emerged as the player with the most sixes in the 2013 IPL season. He continued his power-hitting form from the previous season and was a key player in the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s batting line-up. Gayle hit a total of 51 sixes in 16 matches in the 2013 IPL, which was the highest number of sixes hit by any player in that season.
He scored a total of 708 runs in the tournament at an impressive average of 59.00 and a strike rate of 156.29. He also hit three half-centuries in the tournament. Gayle’s most notable performance in IPL 2013 was against the Pune Warriors, where he smashed an unbeaten 175 off just 66 balls. This inning included 13 fours and 17 sixes, and it remains the highest individual score in T20 cricket to this day.
Most Sixes in IPL 2014
Glenn Maxwell was a key player in Kings XI Punjab’s batting line-up and played a crucial role in their successful campaign. Maxwell hit a total of 36 sixes in 16 matches in the IPL 2014, which was the highest number of sixes hit by any player in that season. He scored a total of 552 runs in the tournament at an impressive strike rate of 187.75. He also hit four half-centuries in the tournament. Maxwell’s highest score during that season was 95 not out.
Most Sixes in IPL 2015
In the Indian Premier League, Chris Gayle is known for hitting the most sixes. As of IPL 2015, he held the top spot on the list of players with the most sixes. Gayle hit 38 sixes in 14 matches, which was far ahead of his teammate in international cricket, Keiron Pollard, who was in 2nd place with 28 sixes. Also, he was one of the most dominant players with the bat. He scored a total of 491 runs in 14 matches, with an average of 40.91 and a strike rate of 146.38.
Most Sixes in IPL 2016
In IPL 2016, Virat Kohli was the leading run-scorer and one of the most consistent batsmen. He scored a whopping 973 runs in just 16 matches, which included four centuries and seven half-centuries. Kohli had a phenomenal average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03. He also hit 38 sixes, which was the most by any player in that season. Kohli’s exceptional performances helped his team, Royal Challengers to reach the final, but unfortunately, they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the summit clash.
Most Sixes in IPL 2017
Maxwell again topped the list of scorers with the most sixes in IPL. In 2017, Glen Maxwell was one of the most explosive batsmen in the tournament. He played for Kings XI Punjab and scored a total of 310 runs in 14 matches, with an average of 31.00 and a strike rate of 173.24. Maxwell hit 26 sixes, which was the most by any player in that season. Even so, despite his exceptional performances, Kings XI Punjab could not make it to the playoffs.
Most Sixes in IPL 2018
In IPL 2018, Rishabh Pant emerged as one of the most promising young talents in the tournament. He played for the Delhi Daredevils (now the Delhi Capitals) and scored a total of 684 runs in 14 matches, with an average of 52.61 and a strike rate of 173.60.
Pant hit 37 sixes, which was the most by any player in that season. He also hit 68 fours and scored 3 half-centuries. One of his most memorable knocks in that season was his unbeaten 128 runs off just 63 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Despite Pant’s exceptional performances, the Delhi Daredevils finished at the bottom of the points table.
Most Sixes in IPL 2019
In IPL 2019, Andre Russell was a standout performer with his explosive batting and dynamic all-round skills. Russell played for Kolkata Knight Riders and he dominated the league with his exceptional hitting ability, especially in the sixes category. He scored 510 runs with the bat in 14 matches.
Russell ended the season with a staggering 52 sixes, which is the greatest number of sixes hit by any player in IPL 2019. Apart from his six-hitting prowess, Russell was also effective with the ball and in the field. He picked up 11 wickets in 14 matches and took some stunning catches to help his team.
Most Sixes in IPL 2020
Ishan Kishan had a fantastic season with the bat in IPL 2020 and emerged as the player with the most sixes in the tournament. Kishan played for the Mumbai Indians and was a key factor in their title-winning campaign.
Kishan hit a total of 30 sixes in IPL 2020, which is the greatest number of sixes hit by any player in the season. He also scored 516 runs in the tournament at an impressive strike rate of 145.76. His performances with the bat helped the Mumbai Indians win their 5th IPL title. Ishan Kishan’s performance in IPL 2020 was exceptional, and his 30 sixes helped him earn the title of ‘Most Sixes’ in the tournament.
Most Sixes in IPL 2021
KL Rahul had a great season with the bat and emerged as the player with the most sixes in IPL 2021. Rahul played for the Punjab Kings and was a key factor in their campaign. He hit a total of 30 sixes in IPL 2021, which is the greatest number of sixes hit by any player in the season.
Besides that, Rahul also scored 626 runs in the tournament at an average of 69.56 and a strike rate of 139.11. His performances with the bat helped the Punjab Kings finish 6th in the IPL 2021 points table.
Most Sixes in IPL 2022
Jos Buttler has been a prolific performer in the Indian Premier League 2022 and has emerged to be one of the most destructive batsmen in the tournament. Buttler has been among the players with the most sixes in the IPL. He has hit a total of 45 sixes in his IPL 2022.
Apart from his six-hitting ability, Buttler has scored 863 runs in the tournament at an average of 57.53 and a strike rate of 149.05. His performances with the bat have helped the Rajasthan Royals win several matches in the tournament.
Final Words
Hitting sixes is crucial in the IPL, and players who can hit the ball a long way are highly sought after in the tournament. Things change quickly in a shorter format of the game. Nowadays, a player requires only one big over to change the course of a game.
Players who can hit the most sixes can change the momentum of a game at any time. Big hitters like Gayle, Russell, and Maxwell don’t rely on any partners for support. Overall, every team in the IPL needs a game-changer who can turn things around quickly, isn’t it?
