“It’s raining sixes in the Indian Premier League.” Whenever we talk about IPL this happens to be one of the most common phrases of all time. Over the years many power hitters have hit the ball to cleaners in IPL. Today, we will be talking about the top 6 hitters in the Indian Premier League.
Chris Gayle: 357 sixes (141 Inns).
The “Universe Boss” leads the chart when it comes to six hitting in the IPL. Gayle who has featured in IPL for 13 consecutive seasons (2009-21) has hit a mammoth number of 357 sixes. In fact, he leads the chart pretty comfortably as no other batsman in the world has hit even 300 sixes in the IPL. Gayle represented 3 IPL franchises (Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings) in his IPL career and has never won the IPL trophy but that hasn’t stopped him from hitting sixes for fun.
Ab De Villiers: 251 sixes (170 Inns).
Following the Universe Boss’ footsteps in the six-hitting list is his former team-mate Ab de Villiers. ABD who is also known as “Mr. 360” has hit 251 sixes in his 14 year IPL career (2008-21). Ab de Villiers who was known for his magnificent and unorthodox stroke play has represented only 2 franchises in IPL (Delhi Daredevils , Royal Challengers Bangalore) and is the second name in our list.
Rohit Sharma: 240 sixes* (221 Inns).
Rohit Sharma is the 3rd batsman in our list and is currently the highest six hitter among the Indian batsmen. Rohit Sharma popularly known as the “Hitman” who has been actively playing in the IPL since its inception has represented 2 IPL franchises (Deccan Chargers, Mumbai Indians) till date and has won the IPL for a record 6 times. He is likely to end up being the 2nd highest six-hitter in IPL history behind Chris Gayle, who enjoys a far distant lead.
Ms Dhoni: 229 sixes* (206 Inns).
It is almost impossible to compile a list of six hitters without the name of Ms Dhoni featuring in it. Ms Dhoni who has been undoubtedly India’s most successful white ball captain of all time has been featuring in IPL for every season and has won the IPL trophy for a four times. Dhoni has hit 229 sixes in the IPL till date and is likely to add up a few more in his tally before he hangs up his boots once and for all.
Kieron Pollard: 223 sixes* (171 Inns).
Kieron Pollard is 5th in the list of highest six-hitters in IPL. Pollard has been featuring in the IPL since 2010 and has only donned the Mumbai Indians’ jersey every single season and has lifted the IPL trophy four times as a player. In the 189 innings he has played, Pollard has hit cleared the ropes 223 times. If he manages to get some more game time in the middle we might end up seeing rising a couple of ranks.
Virat Kohli: 217 sixes* (213 Inns).
Virat Kohli, who is the highest run-getter in IPL with 6572 runs finds his name in the list of top six hitters as well. He is currently ranked 6th. Kohli who has turned up for the same franchise- Royal Challengers Bangalore every single year has hit 217 sixes in the 213 innings he has batted so far in IPL. With age and form in his side Virat can very well join his former RCB team-mates at the top of the pile by the end of his IPL career.
David Warner: 216 sixes* (161 Inns).
David Warner currently holds the record of scoring the most number of fifties in IPL i.e. -54. Warner who has been featuring in the IPL since IPL 2009 has hit 216 sixes already in his IPL career is currently 7th in our list. Warner who has played for 2 IPL franchises (Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad) till date can very well come up to the 2nd position provided he stays fit and raring to hit.
The 8th 9th and 10th position is dominated by 3 Former and Current Players of CSK- Suresh Raina, Shane Watson and Robin Uthappa who have hit 203, 190 and 182* sixes respectively.
Andre Russell is currently the dark-horse in the list of top six hitters with 175* sixes in 82 Innings he has batted so far in his IPL. The Knight is currently placed at 11th Position but given his prowess he can very well change the dynamics of the table in a couple of seasons.
(* denotes current active players).
The stats are updated till Match 68 of IPL 2022.