The 13th edition of the Grand Indian Premier League is to take place this year, With speculations over when and where IPL will be conducted this year due to the ongoing pandemic.
The IPL has provided 13 years of an intense and high level of cricket which makes it the biggest T20 league in the world. The league has been the platform for many youngsters to showcase their talents and many have made it to the highest levels through this platform. Over the years many foreign superstars have become part of the prestigious league.
Since the shortest format of the game requires the batsman to play aggressive cricket and score runs at a quick pace, the batsman tends to take the aerial route more than intended. Cricwizz takes a look into the Top 5 batsman who managed to clear the ropes at ease.
The top 5 players with the most sixes in the Indian Premier League are:
1) Chris Gayle (357 sixes)
When it comes to sixes and aggressive batting there is no match for the ‘Universe Boss’’ Chris Gayle. The Jamaican has a staggering 357 sixes to his name in the 140 matches he played in the IPL. The 41-year-old has never been shy of scoring runs and has 4950 runs to his name at an average of 40.24. He scores his runs at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 149.45 which backs the claims of the boundaries he has scored over time. The Left-hander has a high score of 175*of a mere 66 balls to his name, which still stands the highest individual score ever in IPL.
The former West Indies captain holds the record for the most sixes in an IPL season, with 59 balls being deposited into the crowds, there is a slim chance anyone could replicate it other than the ‘Universe Boss’ himself.
His record of 357 sixes is way ahead of the second-placed ABD, with 245 sixes. The difference of 112 sixes only shows the sheer dominance of the West Indies legend.
2) AB de Villers (245 sixes)
Known as Mr.360, for his ability to score runs all around the ground, this man does not only deal in boundaries but often clears the ropes at will. The 37-year old has 245 sixes to his name in the 176 matches he has played in the IPL. The former South African captain has 5056 runs to his name at an average of 40.77. ABD scores his runs at a pacy strike rate of 152.38, which is the highest on our list. He has a high score of 133* against Mumbai Indians.
The Wicket-keeper batsman’s best season was in 2016 when he cleared the ropes on 37 occasions.
3) Rohit Sharma (224 sixes)
The Indian opener, also known as the Hitman does not only scores his runs in stealth but often goes all guns blazing. He has 224 sixes to his name in the 207 matches he played in the IPL. Rohit has represented two teams in the IPL namely Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians. The 34-year old Mumbai Indians captain has 5480 runs to his name and also makes it to the top 5 run-scorers in IPL.
The right-hander scores his runs at an average of 31.49 and a modest strike rate of 130.50. He has a high score of 109* of 60 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders.
4) MS Dhoni (217 sixes)
The Former Indian captain and CSK captain grabs the fourth spot on our list with 217 sixes, just 3 sixes behind the No.2 ABD, a lot could change this season if the Helicopter decides to take off. The wicket-keeper batsman has a towering 217 sixes in the 190 matches he has played in the IPL.
Dhoni has 4669 runs to his name and scores his runs at an average of 40.25 and a modest strike rate of 136.64. The 39-year old right-hander has a high score of 84* of 28 balls against Royal Challengers Bangalore.
5) Kieron Pollard (211 sixes)
The West Indian hard-hitter Kieron Pollard stormed his way into the list with a staggering 13 sixes in this season of the IPL. The 34-year old has now hit 211 sixes in the tournament and is in touching distance of catching up with the others. Pollard has been in tremendous form over the months as he joined the elite list along with Gibbs and Yuvraj Singh to become the only third player to hit 6 sixes in an over in an international match.
Pollard has scored 3191 runs in the league at an average of 30.68 and a dominating strike rate of 150.87 in the 154 matches he has played in the tournament. He is also a handy player with the ball, picking up 63 wickets at a strike rate of 21.71.
Pollard may feel a bit insecure with his place as he is chased by the RCB skipper Virat Kohli, who has 205 sixes to his name, and right behind him is the CSK veteran- Suresh Raina, who has 202 sixes to his name.
The Universe Boss “Chris Gayle” has cemented his place at the top and replacing him at the top looks to be out of the question. Which player has impressed you the most in the Indian Premier League with their six-hitting ability? Do you think the Universe Boss can be replaced from the top of the list in the future? If so, who do you think can reaching the momentous feat?
