Chris Gayle holds the record for the most sixes in IPL history with 357 maximums from 142 matches. Behind him, Rohit Sharma (302), Virat Kohli (291), and MS Dhoni (264) complete the Indian trio chasing the Caribbean giant.
Since the tournament’s inception in 2008, six-hitting has defined the IPL as the world’s most exciting T20 league. As a result, fans have witnessed thousands of balls sail over the boundary rope. This article covers every player in the top 10, their stats, standout moments, and what makes their six-hitting records special.
Top 10 Players with Most Sixes in IPL History
Here is the complete list of the top 10 six-hitters in IPL history. Notably, this list features five Indian batters and five overseas players, showing a healthy mix of power across nationalities.
| Rank | Player | Team(s) | Span | Matches | Runs | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Gayle | KKR / RCB / PBKS | 2009-2021 | 142 | 4,965 | 357 |
| 2 | Rohit Sharma | MI | 2008-2025 | 272 | 7,046 | 302 |
| 3 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 2008-2025 | 267 | 8,661 | 291 |
| 4 | MS Dhoni | CSK / RPS | 2008-2025 | 278 | 5,439 | 264 |
| 5 | AB de Villiers | DC / RCB | 2008-2021 | 184 | 5,162 | 251 |
| 6 | David Warner | DC / SRH | 2009-2024 | 184 | 6,565 | 236 |
| 7 | Andre Russell | DC / KKR | 2012-2025 | 140 | 2,651 | 223 |
| 8 | Kieron Pollard | MI | 2010-2022 | 189 | 3,412 | 223 |
| 9 | Sanju Samson | RR / DC / CSK | 2013-2025 | 177 | 4,704 | 219 |
| 10 | KL Rahul | RCB / SRH / PBKS / LSG / DC | 2013-2025 | 145 | 5,222 | 208 |
Now, let’s break down each player’s journey and what makes their six-hitting records remarkable.
1. Chris Gayle: 357 Sixes
| Matches | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 142 | 4,965 | 148.96 |
Chris Gayle is the undisputed king of sixes in IPL history. His 357 maximums from just 142 matches remain the gold standard that no active player has come close to matching.
The West Indies legend played for Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Punjab Kings between 2009 and 2021. However, it was his time at RCB that produced the most fireworks.
On 23 April 2013, Gayle played what many consider the greatest T20 innings ever. He smashed 175 not out off 66 balls against Pune Warriors India, including 17 sixes and 13 fours.
That knock set multiple records. It was the fastest century in T20 history (off 30 balls), the highest individual T20 score, and the most sixes in a T20 innings at the time.
Consequently, Gayle finished his IPL career with 4,965 runs at a strike rate of 148.96. He hit a six roughly every 7 balls he faced, a rate that still seems almost inhuman.
To put his dominance in perspective: the gap between Gayle (357) and second-placed Rohit Sharma (302) is 55 sixes. Meanwhile, Rohit needed 130 more matches to get that close.
2. Rohit Sharma: 302 Sixes
| Matches | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 272 | 7,046 | 132.09 |
Rohit Sharma has been Mumbai Indians’ heartbeat since 2008. With 302 sixes from 272 matches, he is the only active player with a realistic shot at breaking Gayle’s all-time record.
What separates Rohit is his elegance. His sixes don’t look like they take effort. The ball simply leaves the bat and keeps travelling, a signature of perfect timing rather than brute force.
Additionally, Rohit captained MI to five IPL titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020), a feat no other captain has matched. He is the joint-most successful captain in IPL history alongside MS Dhoni.
Furthermore, his 7,046 runs make him the third-highest run-scorer in IPL history, behind only Kohli and Warner. For someone not primarily labelled a ‘power hitter,’ 302 sixes tell a different story.
If Rohit averages around 28 sixes per season, which matches his historical rate, he could potentially surpass Gayle’s record by IPL 2028. Still, at 38, the window is narrowing with each passing season.
3. Virat Kohli: 291 Sixes
| Matches | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 267 | 8,661 | 132.85 |
Virat Kohli is the highest run-scorer in IPL history with 8,661 runs from 267 matches. Along the way, he has cleared the rope 291 times for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the only franchise he has ever represented.
Interestingly, Kohli is not usually classified as a six-hitter. His game revolves around timing, placement, and accumulation. Yet, 291 sixes prove that he can go big when the situation demands it.
His record-breaking IPL 2016 season remains the benchmark for individual batting performance. Kohli scored 973 runs that year, the most by any batter in a single IPL season That tally included four centuries.
In IPL 2025, Kohli scored 657 runs with 8 fifties and 19 sixes, helping RCB win their maiden IPL title under Rajat Patidar’s captaincy. After 17 years of waiting, the trophy finally came home to Bengaluru.
Moreover, Kohli holds the record for most IPL centuries (8) and most 50-plus scores (71). His loyalty to a single franchise across all 18 seasons is unmatched in IPL history.
4. MS Dhoni: 264 Sixes
| Matches | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 278 | 5,439 | 137.45 |
MS Dhoni has played 278 IPL matches, the most by any player in the tournament’s history. His 264 sixes carry a unique weight because nearly all of them came in pressure situations during the death overs.
The helicopter shot is practically copyrighted by Dhoni. It became one of the most recognised shots in cricket, launching full-length deliveries over mid-wicket and long-on with wrist power alone.
As CSK captain, Dhoni led the franchise to five IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023) and nine finals. He is the joint-most successful captain in IPL history alongside Rohit Sharma.
At 44, Dhoni is confirmed to play IPL 2026 for Chennai Super Kings. However, this is widely expected to be his final season. He is likely to be used as an impact player, batting at No. 7 or No. 8.
Consequently, every six he hits in IPL 2026 will feel like a farewell gift to millions of CSK fans. His strike rate of 137.45, coming mostly from No. 5 or lower, is remarkable for a finisher.
5. AB de Villiers: 251 Sixes
| Matches | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 184 | 5,162 | 151.68 |
AB de Villiers earned the nickname ‘Mr. 360’ for good reason. He could hit any ball to any part of the ground, and bowlers genuinely had no safe zone against him.
From 184 matches across Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore, de Villiers smashed 251 sixes while scoring 5,162 runs at a strike rate of 151.68.
That strike rate is the highest among all players with 5,000+ IPL runs. In other words, no one combined volume and speed quite like ABD.
His partnership with Kohli at RCB produced 3,123 runs together, the most productive pair in IPL history. When both were set, the opposition was simply going through the motions.
De Villiers retired from the IPL after the 2021 season. Still, his reverse scoops, one-handed catches, and jaw-dropping stroke play remain some of the finest footage the tournament has ever produced.
6. David Warner: 236 Sixes
| Matches | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 184 | 6,565 | 139.77 |
David Warner is the most prolific overseas batter in IPL history. His 6,565 runs from 184 matches include 236 sixes and three Orange Cap wins (2015, 2017, 2019).
Warner played for Delhi Capitals (2009-2013) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (2014-2021), before returning to DC for the 2022-2024 seasons.
As SRH captain, he led them to their only IPL title in 2016, scoring 848 runs that season. Warner’s IPL average of 40.52 is the best among overseas batters with 100+ matches, proving he was never just a slogger.
He also holds the record for most half-centuries in IPL history (62). His consistency at the top of the order across 15 seasons was unmatched by any foreign player.
Warner went unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, effectively ending his IPL career. Still, 236 sixes and 6,565 runs stand as a legacy few overseas players will ever match.
7. Andre Russell: 223 Sixes
| Matches | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 140 | 2,651 | 174.17 |
If there is one stat that defines Andre Russell, it is his strike rate. At 174.17, he has the highest strike rate among all batters with significant IPL runs. Nobody hits harder, faster, or more fearlessly.
Russell’s 223 sixes come from just 140 matches for Delhi Capitals (2012) and Kolkata Knight Riders (2014-2025). He hits a six roughly every 6.8 balls in the IPL, which is the best conversion rate on this list.
His IPL 2019 season was sensational. Russell hit 52 sixes that year, second only to Gayle’s single-season record. He won the Player of the Tournament award with a season strike rate exceeding 205.
One particular innings stands out. His 88 not out off 36 balls against RCB in 2019 flipped a match that seemed lost. Russell typically enters after the 15th over and still manages to reshape the game within a few brutal swings.
Although Russell and Pollard are tied on 223 sixes, Russell played 49 fewer matches. That gap speaks volumes about his hitting efficiency.
8. Kieron Pollard: 223 Sixes
| Matches | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 189 | 3,412 | 147.32 |
Kieron Pollard played 189 matches for Mumbai Indians between 2010 and 2022, scoring 3,412 runs and hitting 223 sixes at a strike rate of 147.32.
Along with Rohit Sharma, Pollard was the backbone of MI’s dynasty. He contributed to all five MI title wins, making him one of the most decorated overseas players in the tournament.
His physical size and raw strength made him a nightmare for death-over bowlers. Pollard could pick up any game that had gone quiet with two or three monster hits. His ability to clear the longest boundaries in Indian grounds was not something many could replicate.
Moreover, Pollard was an exceptional fielder and handy medium-pace bowler. His all-round contributions often went beyond the six-hitting numbers.
With both Pollard and Russell tied at 223, the comparison is inevitable. Pollard accumulated his tally over a longer period, while Russell did it in fewer matches at a higher strike rate.
9. Sanju Samson: 219 Sixes
| Matches | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 177 | 4,704 | 139.04 |
Sanju Samson has quietly become one of the most exciting batters in IPL history. His 219 sixes across 177 matches come at a career strike rate of 139.04.
Samson made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2013 and spent two seasons with Delhi Capitals (2016-2017) before returning to RR. For IPL 2026, he has moved to Chennai Super Kings via a trade deal.
As RR captain, Samson led them to the IPL 2022 final, where they finished runners-up to Gujarat Titans. He has three IPL centuries to his name, including a memorable 119 off 63 balls on his captaincy debut against PBKS in 2021.
Beyond the IPL, Samson’s stock has risen dramatically. He was named Player of the Tournament at the T20 World Cup 2026, scoring 321 runs in just 5 innings at a strike rate of nearly 200.
At just 32, Samson is the youngest player on this list and has many more IPL seasons ahead. Consequently, he is well-placed to climb further up the all-time six-hitting chart.
10. KL Rahul: 208 Sixes
| Matches | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 145 | 5,222 | 136.02 |
KL Rahul rounds out the top 10 with 208 sixes from 145 matches. His batting average of 46.21 is the highest for any batter with 5,000+ IPL runs. That stat alone tells you how valuable his wicket is.
Rahul has represented five franchises: RCB (2013, 2016), SRH (2014-2015), PBKS (2018-2021), LSG (2022-2024), and Delhi Capitals (2025-present).
In April 2025, Rahul became the fastest Indian to 200 IPL sixes, reaching the milestone in just 129 innings. He surpassed Sanju Samson (159 innings) and MS Dhoni (165 innings) to claim that record.
Rahul’s five IPL centuries also place him among the top century-scorers in the tournament. His 132 not out against RCB while playing for PBKS remains the fifth-highest individual score in IPL history.
Unlike the raw power hitters on this list, Rahul’s sixes are a product of timing and wrist work. He picks his moments, accelerates when needed, and rarely gives his wicket away cheaply.
Key Comparisons: Six-Hitting Efficiency
Not all 223 sixes are created equal. The table below compares how efficiently each player hit their sixes, measured by balls per six and sixes per match. This gives a clearer picture than raw totals alone.
| Player | Sixes | Matches | Sixes/Match | Approx Balls/Six |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Russell | 223 | 140 | 1.59 | ~6.8 |
| Chris Gayle | 357 | 142 | 2.51 | ~7.5 |
| AB de Villiers | 251 | 184 | 1.36 | ~8.6 |
| Kieron Pollard | 223 | 189 | 1.18 | ~9.1 |
| MS Dhoni | 264 | 278 | 0.95 | ~10.2 |
| Sanju Samson | 219 | 177 | 1.24 | ~9.5 |
| KL Rahul | 208 | 145 | 1.43 | ~9.0 |
| Virat Kohli | 291 | 267 | 1.09 | ~11.5 |
| Rohit Sharma | 302 | 272 | 1.11 | ~11.0 |
| David Warner | 236 | 184 | 1.28 | ~10.5 |
As a result, Gayle leads in sixes per match (2.51), while Russell leads in balls-per-six efficiency (~6.8). Both men were built to destroy bowling attacks, just in slightly different ways.
Can Anyone Break Chris Gayle’s Record of 357 Sixes?
This is the question every IPL fan asks before a new season. Here is a realistic assessment of the active players who could challenge Gayle’s record of 357 sixes.
| Player | Current Sixes | Gap to 357 | Realistic Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 302 | 55 | ~2 seasons (if ~28 sixes/season) |
| Virat Kohli | 291 | 66 | ~3 seasons (if ~22 sixes/season) |
| Sanju Samson | 219 | 138 | ~6-7 seasons |
| KL Rahul | 208 | 149 | ~7-8 seasons |
Rohit Sharma has the best chance. At 302, he needs 55 more sixes. If he averages 28 per season, he could reach 357 by IPL 2028. However, at 38, longevity will be the deciding factor.
Virat Kohli is a dark horse in this race. He scored 19 sixes in IPL 2025, and his form shows no signs of slowing down. Still, he would need three more productive seasons to close the gap.
Meanwhile, younger players like Samson and Rahul have time on their side. However, they would need sustained output over six or more seasons to get there.
Indian vs Overseas: Who Dominates the Six-Hitting Charts?
The top 10 list splits evenly: five Indian batters and five overseas players. However, the characteristics of their six-hitting differ significantly.
| Metric | Indian Batters (Top 5) | Overseas Batters (Top 5) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Sixes | 1,284 | 1,290 |
| Total Matches | 1,139 | 839 |
| Avg Sixes/Match | 1.13 | 1.54 |
| Highest SR | 139.04 (Samson) | 174.17 (Russell) |
| Most Sixes | 302 (Rohit) | 357 (Gayle) |
While total sixes are nearly identical, overseas players hit sixes at a higher rate per match (1.54 vs 1.13). This makes sense because Indian batters tend to play more matches and accumulate over longer careers.
On the other hand, overseas stars like Gayle, Russell, and de Villiers were often recruited specifically as power hitters. Their shorter stints meant they had to maximize impact in fewer games.
Conclusion: Chris Gayle leads the Most Sixes in IPL Record List Currently
Chris Gayle’s 357 sixes in IPL history remain the benchmark for power-hitting in T20 cricket. While Rohit and Kohli are the closest active challengers, the gap is still significant. Meanwhile, Russell’s extraordinary efficiency and Dhoni’s pressure-fuelled maximums offer a different kind of brilliance. As IPL 2026 kicks off, these records will only grow.
