The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) was supposed to begin from March 29, but due to coronavirus outbreak, it has been postponed till April 15. The latest reports also suggest that the commencement of the cash-rich league could get delayed further to start in July; however, there is still no confirmation by the BCCI.
Nonetheless, the fans would be excited if this year’s IPL takes place as a lot of power-hitters will be a part of the competition in the 2020 edition of the lucrative league.
Players like Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya are few names who are known for launching the ball into the stands. So, let’s have a look at five batsmen who have smashed maximum sixes in IPL history:
5.) Suresh Raina
Arguably one of the best T20 players of all-time, Suresh Raina, has been an excellent asset for whichever teams he has played for in IPL. In the league, Raina has played the most for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and contributed with all-round effort. Still, the most crucial input he had given to his IPL teams is his explosive batting, which included numerous sixes.
Raina has earned a ton of experience as he featured the most number of times in IPL history by playing 193 games. He is also the second-highest run-scorer (5368) in the lucrative league after Virat Kohli (5412). When it comes to sixes, then Raina has 194 maximums to his name, and he’s the fifth player in IPL to hit that many sixes.
4.) Rohit Sharma
Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma is the most successful captain in IPL when it comes to winning the coveted trophy as the Mumbai-based franchise has won it for the maximum four times. Rohit is widely popular for his destructive batting. He’s the only player to score three double centuries in ODI cricket.
When it comes to the shortest format, then Rohit has smashed 25 fifty-plus scores, which is the most by any player. In IPL, the Nagpur-born batsman has clubbed 4898 runs – third highest after Raina and Kohli. Rohit shares the number of sixes (194) in the cash-rich league with Raina, but he’s at the fourth spot because of the lesser number of games. The MI opener has played 188 games so far in IPL.
3.) MS Dhoni
Former skipper of Team India MS Dhoni needs no introduction as to what kind of a player he has been, be it at the international circuit or in domestic tournaments. Dhoni is the only captain in the history of cricket to win all ICC trophies. Under his leadership, India won the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2010 and 2016 Asia Cups, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
In IPL, Dhoni is the most successful captain when it comes to winning matches ratio. He led CSK to three IPL trophies. MSD is considered as the best finisher and a powerful striker of the ball. No wonder he features in this list as well.
The CSK skipper has smashed 209 sixes in the lucrative league and sits at the third position. When it comes to Indian players, then he’s at the top with that many sixes to his name.
2.) AB de Villiers
The dexterous batsman from South Africa, AB de Villiers, has scripted new heights in modern-day cricket and invented some of the most unbelievable shots of the game. The Proteas batsman has played most of his cricket for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and he has done wonders for his franchise.
The Proteas batter has the ability to take on any bowling attack and punish any bowler with the excellent use of his crease, which is a treat to watch. De Villiers is not a hard hitter of the ball; he relies on timing and slams maximums with so much ease. In IPL, the RCB batsman has smashed 212 sixes.
1.) Chris Gayle
There is no hesitation in saying that Chris Gayle ranks on the top in whichever format he plays. Just with his incredible physique and outstanding hand-eye coordination, Gayle manslaughter the balls and send them out of the stadium without putting much effort.
The ‘Universe Boss’ leads the table of six-hitters in almost every league he had featured in. In IPL, the Kingston-born giant has smashed 326 sixes, which is the most by any batter in the history of the lucrative league.
