50+ sixes against one IPL team – only 3 men have achieved this; one has done it twice
It’s not been a great IPL season for Chennai Super Kings as they have struggled for any sort of form or cohesion. With just two wins from 11 games, it is safe to say their campaign has been underwhelming.
But despite their lack of wins, there have been a few highlights – one of those is undoubtedly the continued ability to perform on the big stage for their veteran keeper and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Playing for CSK in a narrow loss against RCB, Dhoni hit 12 from eight balls. Amongst those eight deliveries, he struck a six. It was a special one because it saw him register his 50th maximum against RCB, making him the first player to do so against the Challengers.
Hitting 50 sixes against a single team is a fantastic achievement, and there are only a handful of players to achieve this mark in their IPL careers. Here’s a look at who else is on the elite list which Dhoni joined on Saturday.
4. MS Dhoni – 50 IPL sixes from 35 innings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Even in what is likely his final IPL season, MS Dhoni continues to be the heartbeat of the Chennai Super Kings. While his batting time has been limited in recent years, his ability to clear the ropes when it matters most has never been in doubt.
His 50th six against Royal Challengers Bengaluru came in trademark fashion – a brutal slap over extra-cover as he rocked back, hit through the line and cleared the ropes with ease. It was the kind of shot that reminded everyone of the vintage Dhoni power. It was fitting that RCB, a side he has tormented over the years, became the first franchise to concede 50 sixes to the CSK legend.
Across 35 innings, Dhoni has maintained an impressive strike rate against the Challengers, with many of his sixes coming in the death overs. Whether it was chasing down targets or finishing innings with a flourish, Dhoni has often been the difference-maker in this southern derby.
3. Rohit Sharma – 50 IPL sixes from 36 innings vs Delhi Capitals
Rohit Sharma, one of the most prolific six-hitters in IPL history, has had a long-standing affinity for the Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack. Across 36 innings, the Mumbai Indians skipper has launched 50 sixes against DC, often setting the tone in the powerplay or turning the tide in the middle overs.
Rohit’s six-hitting against Delhi has come in different colours, from his early days with Deccan Chargers to his peak years with Mumbai Indians. Whether playing at the Wankhede or Arun Jaitley Stadium, he has found the boundary with ease, punishing both pace and spin with equal disdain.
Delhi have tried multiple combinations to contain him, but the Hitman’s ability to pick length early and clear the fence effortlessly has made him a consistent thorn in their side.
2. Chris Gayle – 54 IPL sixes from 19 innings vs Kolkata Knight Riders
The ‘Universe Boss’ needs little introduction when it comes to six-hitting. But his dominance against Kolkata Knight Riders was on another level entirely. In just 19 innings, Chris Gayle smashed 54 sixes against KKR, many of them brutal, towering hits that left bowlers stunned and spectators awestruck.
Playing largely for RCB during his peak, Gayle turned Eden Gardens into his personal playground. His 175* in 2013 against Pune Warriors may be his most famous knock, but his repeated demolitions of KKR made for compelling viewing every season.
He feasted particularly on the likes of Sunil Narine and Pat Cummins, using his long reach and brute strength to clear even the longest boundaries. No matter the venue, the matchup, or the conditions – if Gayle was batting against KKR, fireworks were guaranteed.
1. Chris Gayle – 61 IPL sixes from 16 innings vs Punjab Kings
Topping the list – here he is again – it’s Chris Gayle, this time for his phenomenal record against Punjab Kings. In just 16 innings, Gayle hammered an incredible 61 sixes, giving him an astonishing average of nearly four sixes per match against the franchise.
Gayle’s relationship with Punjab is an interesting one, he tormented them for years before finally joining them in the latter stages of his IPL career. But it was during his time at RCB that he truly unleashed his wrath on the Punjab bowlers.
Whether it was Praveen Kumar, Sandeep Sharma, or spin options like Piyush Chawla, nobody was spared. In several matches, Gayle turned the contest into a one-man show, dismantling the opposition with sheer force.
It’s no surprise that both the top two spots on this list belong to Gayle – the most destructive batter in T20 history – and his 61 sixes against Punjab remain the highest by any player against a single Indian Premier League franchise.