Updated October 2026 | All stats are as of the end of IPL 2026 (final played 31 May 2026).
Most Sixes in IPL History: This is the complete all-time list of the biggest six-hitters in IPL history, from the first season in 2008 to the 2026 final. Chris Gayle holds the record with 357 sixes. Below you will find the top 20, how the record has changed hands, the best six-hitting season every year, and the active players with a chance to climb the list.
What This Record Measures and Why It Is Hard
The record counts every six hit by a batter in IPL matches, league and playoffs, across a whole career. It rewards two things that rarely go together: raw power and longevity. A batter needs to clear the rope regularly against the best bowlers in the world, often at the death when fielders are spread, and keep doing it season after season while franchises chop and change squads. Super Over sixes are not counted, in line with the official record.
Most Sixes in IPL History: The Complete All-Time Leaderboard (Top 20)
| Rank | Player | Team(s) | Sixes | Inns | Runs | SR | Sixes per inns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Gayle | RCB/PBKS/KKR | 357 | 141 | 4965 | 148.96 | 2.53 |
| 2 | Rohit Sharma | MI/DCG | 324 | 276 | 7329 | 132.92 | 1.17 |
| 3 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 317 | 275 | 9336 | 134.80 | 1.15 |
| 4 | MS Dhoni | CSK/RPS | 264 | 241 | 5439 | 137.45 | 1.10 |
| 5 | AB de Villiers | RCB/DC | 251 | 170 | 5162 | 151.69 | 1.48 |
| 6 | Sanju Samson | RR/DC/CSK | 243 | 186 | 5181 | 141.13 | 1.31 |
| 7 | KL Rahul | PBKS/LSG/DC/SRH/RCB | 239 | 150 | 5815 | 139.15 | 1.59 |
| 8 | David Warner | SRH/DC | 236 | 184 | 6565 | 139.77 | 1.28 |
| 9 | Kieron Pollard | MI | 223 | 168 | 3412 | 147.32 | 1.33 |
| 10 | Andre Russell | KKR/DC | 223 | 114 | 2651 | 174.18 | 1.96 |
| 11 | Jos Buttler | RR/GT/MI | 211 | 136 | 4646 | 149.73 | 1.55 |
| 12 | Suresh Raina | CSK/GL | 203 | 200 | 5528 | 136.73 | 1.01 |
| 13 | Shane Watson | RR/CSK/RCB | 190 | 141 | 3874 | 137.91 | 1.35 |
| 14 | Nicholas Pooran | LSG/PBKS/SRH | 186 | 101 | 2527 | 164.09 | 1.84 |
| 15 | Robin Uthappa | KKR/PWI/RCB/CSK/MI/RR | 182 | 197 | 4952 | 130.35 | 0.92 |
| 16 | Shreyas Iyer | DC/PBKS/KKR | 182 | 144 | 4229 | 136.73 | 1.26 |
| 17 | Rishabh Pant | DC/LSG | 181 | 136 | 3865 | 146.79 | 1.33 |
| 18 | Suryakumar Yadav | MI/KKR | 178 | 164 | 4581 | 148.59 | 1.09 |
| 19 | Faf du Plessis | CSK/RCB/DC/RPS | 174 | 147 | 4773 | 135.79 | 1.18 |
| 20 | Ambati Rayudu | MI/CSK | 173 | 187 | 4348 | 127.54 | 0.93 |
9 of the top 20 played in IPL 2026: Rohit Sharma (rank 2), Virat Kohli (rank 3), Sanju Samson (rank 6), KL Rahul (rank 7), Jos Buttler (rank 11), Nicholas Pooran (rank 14), Shreyas Iyer (rank 16), Rishabh Pant (rank 17), Suryakumar Yadav (rank 18). The most efficient six-hitter in the top 20 is Chris Gayle, with 2.53 sixes per innings.
The top 20 in profile
1. Chris Gayle (357 sixes). Played 13 seasons from 2009 to 2021 for RCB/PBKS/KKR, scoring 4965 runs at a strike rate of 148.96 with 6 hundreds and 31 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2012 with 59 for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Sixes made up 43% of his IPL runs.
2. Rohit Sharma (324 sixes). Played 19 seasons from 2008 to 2026 for MI/DCG, scoring 7329 runs at a strike rate of 132.92 with 2 hundreds and 49 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2013 with 28 for Mumbai Indians. Sixes made up 27% of his IPL runs. Still active in 2026.
3. Virat Kohli (317 sixes). Played 19 seasons from 2008 to 2026 for RCB, scoring 9336 runs at a strike rate of 134.80 with 9 hundreds and 68 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2016 with 38 for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Sixes made up 20% of his IPL runs. Still active in 2026.
4. MS Dhoni (264 sixes). Played 18 seasons from 2008 to 2025 for CSK/RPS, scoring 5439 runs at a strike rate of 137.45 with 0 hundreds and 24 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2018 with 30 for Chennai Super Kings. Sixes made up 29% of his IPL runs.
5. AB de Villiers (251 sixes). Played 14 seasons from 2008 to 2021 for RCB/DC, scoring 5162 runs at a strike rate of 151.69 with 3 hundreds and 40 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2016 with 37 for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Sixes made up 29% of his IPL runs.
6. Sanju Samson (243 sixes). Played 14 seasons from 2013 to 2026 for RR/DC/CSK, scoring 5181 runs at a strike rate of 141.13 with 5 hundreds and 27 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2020 with 26 for Rajasthan Royals. Sixes made up 28% of his IPL runs. Still active in 2026.
7. KL Rahul (239 sixes). Played 13 seasons from 2013 to 2026 for PBKS/LSG/DC/SRH/RCB, scoring 5815 runs at a strike rate of 139.15 with 6 hundreds and 45 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2018 with 32 for Kings XI Punjab. Sixes made up 25% of his IPL runs. Still active in 2026.
8. David Warner (236 sixes). Played 15 seasons from 2009 to 2024 for SRH/DC, scoring 6565 runs at a strike rate of 139.77 with 4 hundreds and 62 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2016 with 31 for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Sixes made up 22% of his IPL runs.
9. Kieron Pollard (223 sixes). Played 13 seasons from 2010 to 2022 for MI, scoring 3412 runs at a strike rate of 147.32 with 0 hundreds and 16 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2013 with 29 for Mumbai Indians. Sixes made up 39% of his IPL runs.
10. Andre Russell (223 sixes). Played 13 seasons from 2012 to 2025 for KKR/DC, scoring 2651 runs at a strike rate of 174.18 with 0 hundreds and 12 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2019 with 52 for Kolkata Knight Riders. Sixes made up 50% of his IPL runs.
11. Jos Buttler (211 sixes). Played 11 seasons from 2016 to 2026 for RR/GT/MI, scoring 4646 runs at a strike rate of 149.73 with 7 hundreds and 28 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2022 with 45 for Rajasthan Royals. Sixes made up 27% of his IPL runs. Still active in 2026.
12. Suresh Raina (203 sixes). Played 13 seasons from 2008 to 2021 for CSK/GL, scoring 5528 runs at a strike rate of 136.73 with 1 hundreds and 39 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2010 with 22 for Chennai Super Kings. Sixes made up 22% of his IPL runs.
13. Shane Watson (190 sixes). Played 12 seasons from 2008 to 2020 for RR/CSK/RCB, scoring 3874 runs at a strike rate of 137.91 with 4 hundreds and 21 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2018 with 35 for Chennai Super Kings. Sixes made up 29% of his IPL runs.
14. Nicholas Pooran (186 sixes). Played 8 seasons from 2019 to 2026 for LSG/PBKS/SRH, scoring 2527 runs at a strike rate of 164.09 with 0 hundreds and 15 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2025 with 40 for Lucknow Super Giants. Sixes made up 44% of his IPL runs. Still active in 2026.
15. Robin Uthappa (182 sixes). Played 15 seasons from 2008 to 2022 for KKR/PWI/RCB/CSK/MI/RR, scoring 4952 runs at a strike rate of 130.35 with 0 hundreds and 27 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2010 with 27 for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Sixes made up 22% of his IPL runs.
16. Shreyas Iyer (182 sixes). Played 11 seasons from 2015 to 2026 for DC/PBKS/KKR, scoring 4229 runs at a strike rate of 136.73 with 1 hundreds and 32 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2025 with 39 for Punjab Kings. Sixes made up 26% of his IPL runs. Still active in 2026.
17. Rishabh Pant (181 sixes). Played 10 seasons from 2016 to 2026 for DC/LSG, scoring 3865 runs at a strike rate of 146.79 with 2 hundreds and 20 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2018 with 37 for Delhi Daredevils. Sixes made up 28% of his IPL runs. Still active in 2026.
18. Suryakumar Yadav (178 sixes). Played 14 seasons from 2012 to 2026 for MI/KKR, scoring 4581 runs at a strike rate of 148.59 with 2 hundreds and 31 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2025 with 38 for Mumbai Indians. Sixes made up 23% of his IPL runs. Still active in 2026.
19. Faf du Plessis (174 sixes). Played 13 seasons from 2012 to 2025 for CSK/RCB/DC/RPS, scoring 4773 runs at a strike rate of 135.79 with 0 hundreds and 39 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2023 with 36 for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Sixes made up 22% of his IPL runs.
20. Ambati Rayudu (173 sixes). Played 14 seasons from 2010 to 2023 for MI/CSK, scoring 4348 runs at a strike rate of 127.54 with 1 hundreds and 22 fifties. His best six-hitting season was 2018 with 34 for Chennai Super Kings. Sixes made up 24% of his IPL runs.
Who Holds It Now and How It Was Set
Chris Gayle has 357 sixes across 13 seasons (2009 to 2021), playing for RCB/PBKS/KKR. That works out at 2.53 sixes per innings, alongside 4965 runs at a strike rate of 148.96.
| Season | Team | Sixes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | KKR | 10 |
| 2010 | KKR | 16 |
| 2011 | RCB | 44 |
| 2012 | RCB | 59 |
| 2013 | RCB | 51 |
| 2014 | RCB | 12 |
| 2015 | RCB | 38 |
| 2016 | RCB | 21 |
| 2017 | RCB | 14 |
| 2018 | PBKS | 27 |
| 2019 | PBKS | 34 |
| 2020 | PBKS | 23 |
| 2021 | PBKS | 8 |
His best season was 2012, with 59 sixes for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
How the Record Has Changed Hands Over the Years
| After season | Career leader | Sixes |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Sanath Jayasuriya | 31 |
| 2009 | Adam Gilchrist | 48 |
| 2010 | Adam Gilchrist | 64 |
| 2011 | Adam Gilchrist | 82 |
| 2012 | Chris Gayle | 129 |
| 2013 | Chris Gayle | 180 |
| 2014 | Chris Gayle | 192 |
| 2015 | Chris Gayle | 230 |
| 2016 | Chris Gayle | 251 |
| 2017 | Chris Gayle | 265 |
| 2018 | Chris Gayle | 292 |
| 2019 | Chris Gayle | 326 |
| 2020 | Chris Gayle | 349 |
| 2021 | Chris Gayle | 357 |
| 2022 | Chris Gayle | 357 |
| 2023 | Chris Gayle | 357 |
| 2024 | Chris Gayle | 357 |
| 2025 | Chris Gayle | 357 |
| 2026 | Chris Gayle | 357 |
The record has been held by Sanath Jayasuriya (from 2008), then Adam Gilchrist (from 2009), then Chris Gayle (from 2012). 3 different players have led the all-time list at the end of a season.
Season-by-Season Best
| Season | Player | Team | Sixes | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Sanath Jayasuriya | MI | 31 | Shaun Marsh (26) |
| 2009 | Adam Gilchrist | DCG | 29 | Matthew Hayden (22) |
| 2010 | Robin Uthappa | RCB | 27 | Murali Vijay (26) |
| 2011 | Chris Gayle | RCB | 44 | MS Dhoni (23) |
| 2012 | Chris Gayle | RCB | 59 | Cameron White (20) |
| 2013 | Chris Gayle | RCB | 51 | Kieron Pollard (29) |
| 2014 | Glenn Maxwell | PBKS | 36 | Dwayne Smith (34) |
| 2015 | Chris Gayle | RCB | 38 | Kieron Pollard (28) |
| 2016 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 38 | AB de Villiers (37) |
| 2017 | David Warner | SRH | 26 | Glenn Maxwell (26) |
| 2018 | Rishabh Pant | DC | 37 | Shane Watson (35) |
| 2019 | Andre Russell | KKR | 52 | Chris Gayle (34) |
| 2020 | Ishan Kishan | MI | 30 | Sanju Samson (26) |
| 2021 | KL Rahul | PBKS | 30 | Ruturaj Gaikwad (23) |
| 2022 | Jos Buttler | RR | 45 | Liam Livingstone (34) |
| 2023 | Faf du Plessis | RCB | 36 | Shivam Dube (35) |
| 2024 | Abhishek Sharma | SRH | 42 | Virat Kohli (38) |
| 2025 | Nicholas Pooran | LSG | 40 | Shreyas Iyer (39) |
| 2026 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | RR | 72 | Abhishek Sharma (43) |
The best single season is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 72 sixes in 2026. In 2021, KL Rahul led the way for Punjab Kings with 30. In 2022, Jos Buttler led the way for Rajasthan Royals with 45. In 2023, Faf du Plessis led the way for Royal Challengers Bangalore with 36. In 2024, Abhishek Sharma led the way for Sunrisers Hyderabad with 42. In 2025, Nicholas Pooran led the way for Lucknow Super Giants with 40. In 2026, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi led the way for Rajasthan Royals with 72.
How the six-hitting landscape has changed
| Season | Matches | Total sixes | Sixes per match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 58 | 623 | 10.7 |
| 2009 | 57 | 506 | 8.9 |
| 2010 | 60 | 585 | 9.8 |
| 2011 | 73 | 639 | 8.8 |
| 2012 | 74 | 733 | 9.9 |
| 2013 | 76 | 675 | 8.9 |
| 2014 | 60 | 714 | 11.9 |
| 2015 | 59 | 692 | 11.7 |
| 2016 | 60 | 639 | 10.7 |
| 2017 | 59 | 705 | 11.9 |
| 2018 | 60 | 872 | 14.5 |
| 2019 | 60 | 784 | 13.1 |
| 2020 | 60 | 735 | 12.2 |
| 2021 | 60 | 687 | 11.4 |
| 2022 | 74 | 1062 | 14.4 |
| 2023 | 74 | 1124 | 15.2 |
| 2024 | 71 | 1261 | 17.8 |
| 2025 | 73 | 1295 | 17.7 |
| 2026 | 74 | 1426 | 19.3 |
Sixes per match rose from 10.7 in 2008 to 19.3 in 2026. The jump since 2023 lines up with the Impact Player rule, which lets teams bat deeper and swing harder from ball one. That makes the older six-hitting tallies, built in a lower-scoring era, all the more impressive.
Active Players Closest to Breaking It
| Player | Team in 2026 | Sixes | Gap to record | Sixes in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | MI | 324 | 33 | 21 |
| Virat Kohli | RCB | 317 | 40 | 25 |
| Sanju Samson | CSK | 243 | 114 | 24 |
| KL Rahul | DC | 239 | 118 | 31 |
| Jos Buttler | GT | 211 | 146 | 26 |
| Nicholas Pooran | LSG | 186 | 171 | 19 |
| Shreyas Iyer | PBKS | 182 | 175 | 30 |
| Rishabh Pant | LSG | 181 | 176 | 11 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | MI | 178 | 179 | 10 |
| Ishan Kishan | SRH | 166 | 191 | 32 |
Rohit Sharma is the nearest active challenger, 33 sixes behind. At his 2026 rate of 21 a season he would need about 2 more seasons like it to pass the record, assuming the leader adds no more. Younger players further down the list have time on their side, but they would need to sustain their current rate for many seasons.
Related Records Worth Knowing
- Most sixes in a single IPL season: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 72 in 2026.
- Most sixes in one innings: Chris Gayle, 17 for RCB on 23 Apr 2013.
- Total sixes hit in IPL 2026: 1426, compared with 623 in 2008.
Related record pages: IPL Purple Cap winners, fastest century in IPL history, and the full IPL records section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who holds the record for most sixes in the IPL?
Chris Gayle, with 357 sixes (as of the end of IPL 2026).
When was this record set?
Chris Gayle became the all-time leader after the 2012 season and has held the record since. His tally stands at 357 after IPL 2021.
Has this record ever been broken twice by the same player?
The lead has changed hands 2 times, and no player has taken the record, lost it and won it back.
Who has the most sixes in a single IPL season?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, with 72 in 2026.