The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) produced some thrilling encounters where we had some high-scoring clashes and record-breaking totals. In IPL 2024, we saw the previous record of highest IPL team total of 263/5 by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) getting broken multiple times, and now, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) hold the record of top two highest team totals in the cash-rich league.
Along with the highest totals, the IPL 2024 also broke the record for most sixes in a single edition of the tournament. A total of 1260 sixes were hit in 74 matches of IPL 2024, with star Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter MS Dhoni hitting the longest six of the season of 110 meters in a clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on May 18. In the last 17 years of the IPL, we saw some huge sixes getting smashed throughout the history of the tournament. Some shots even went out of the stadium that exhilarated all the fans present there. In the following listicle, we will discuss the top 10 longest sixes that were smashed in the 17 years of IPL history.
10 Longest Sixes in IPL History
10. Liam Livingstone: 117m six vs Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022
Star England batter Liam Livingstone, who plays for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL, smashed a 117-meter six in a match against Gujarat Titans (GT) at DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai on 3 May 2022. The right-handed batter remained unbeaten on 30 off just 10 deliveries in that game, where he smashed that monstrous six in the first ball of the 16th over, which was bowled by Mohammed Shami. That match saw PBKS comfortably chase the target of 144 runs in 16 overs with 8 wickets in hand.
9. Ben Cutting: 117m six vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2016 Final
Australia’s Ben Cutting was on a beast mode for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) during the IPL 2016 final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on 29 May 2016. The right-handed batsman smashed a 39 runs off just 15 balls, out of which he amassed 22 runs in the final over of the innings by Shane Watson, including a monstrous 117-meter six on second ball of the over. Due to Cutting’s fantastic cameo, SRH posted 208/7 and went on to win the match by eight runs to lift their maiden IPL title.
8. Gautam Gambhir: 117m six vs Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2013
The next name in the list is of former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir, who led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to two titles in 2012 and 2014. The left-handed batter smashed a 117-meter six in the first over being bowled by S Sreesanth during a match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on 8 April, 2013. However, Gambhir couldn’t take his team down the line as he was out for run-a-ball 22 runs and KKR went on to lose the game by 19 runs.
7. Ross Taylor: 119m six vs Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2008
Former New Zealand cricketer Ross Taylor smashed a 119-meter six while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008. The right–hander got out after scoring 53 runs off 34 balls, however, it couldn’t help his team to win the match as RCB went on to lose the game by 13 runs while chasing a 179-run target.
6. Yuvraj Singh: 119m six vs Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2009
It would be strange if we talk about longest sixes in IPL history and don’t have Yuvraj Singh in the list. While playing for Kings XI Punjab (now known as Punjab Kings), Yuvraj smashed a 119-meter six off Albie Morkel’s delivery during a match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Centurion on 7 May, 2009. Yuvraj played a captain’s knock off 58 not out from 36 deliveries. However, Punjab still fell short off 12 runs from CSK’s total due to DLS method.
5. Chris Gayle: 119m six vs Pune Warriors India in IPL 2013
Finally we have ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle in the list, who smashed one of the longest sixes in IPL history during his iconic knock off 175 runs off 66 balls while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a match against Pune Warriors India (PWI) at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on 23 April, 2013. During his historic knock, Gayle smashed a 119-meter six off Ashok Dinda’s delivery. RCB posted a record 263/5 in that game and went on to win the match by 130 runs.
4. Robin Uthappa: 120m six vs Mumbai Indians in IPL 2009
Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Robin Uthappa smashed a 120-meter six while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a match against Mumbai Indians in Johannesburg on 3 May, 2009. Uthappa scored an unbeaten 66 runs off 42 balls in that game as RCB defeated MI by nine wickets, chasing a target of 150 runs in 18.1 overs.
3. Adam Gilchrist: 122m six vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2011
Australia’s former wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist comes third in the list for his 122-meter six during his century knock while playing for Kings XI Punjab in a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamsala on 17 May, 2011. With the help of Gilchrist’s 106 runs off 55 balls, along with Shaun Marsh’s 79-run knock, Punjab posted a mammoth 232 for 2 and went on to win the game by 111 runs.
2. Praveen Kumar: 124m six vs Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2008
One of the most surprising names in the list is Praveen Kumar, who comes second in the list of longest sixes in IPL history. Coming out to bat for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on 26 April 2008, Praveen smashed 124-meter off Yusuf Pathan during his knock off 34 runs off 30 balls. His knock helped RCB to post a respectable total of 138/8. In reply, RR chased the winning target in 17.1 overs with seven wickets in hand.
1. Albie Morkel: 125m six vs Deccan Chargers in IPL 2008
The longest six in IPL history belongs to the former South African cricketer Albie Morkel. While playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a match against Deccan Charger at M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on 6 May 2008, Morkel smashed a 125-meter six off Pragyan Ojha during his knock off 29 run off 19 balls that helped CSK to post 144/7. However, the total wasn’t enough as the Chargers chased the target in 18 overs with seven wickets in hand.
These were the top 10 longest sixes that were hit throughout the 17 years in the history of the IPL. We also witnessed some huge sixes during the IPL 2024, but none of those could make an appearance in the following list. It will be interesting to see which batter could break the record of longest six in the upcoming years of the cash-rich league.