Most Sixes in a Single IPL Season – The Big Hitters Who Redefined Power-Hitting

In a format like T20, sixes are the most thrilling currency of the game. The Indian Premier League (IPL), since its inception, has given cricket fans some of the most explosive batting performances ever seen, with power-hitters turning matches around in mere overs. But among these fireworks, a few players have stood taller than the rest — those who dominated a single IPL season with a flurry of sixes.

Let’s take a closer look at the players who’ve hit the most sixes in a single IPL season — performances that not only lit up stadiums but also shifted the dynamics of modern-day cricket.

1. Chris Gayle – The King of Maximums (2012)

When it comes to six-hitting, Chris Gayle stands in a league of his own. In IPL 2012, the big Jamaican turned up the heat like never before. Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Gayle smashed an unbelievable 59 sixes in that season alone. His sheer dominance at the top was breathtaking — bowlers knew what was coming, but still couldn’t stop it.

2. Jos Buttler – The Elegant Destroyer (2022)

Englishman Jos Buttler brought a blend of class and destruction in IPL 2022 while playing for Rajasthan Royals. With 45 sixes, he came close to Gayle’s record and did so with a style that made his big hitting look effortless. What made Buttler’s performance unique was his consistency across the season.

He didn’t just go big in one or two innings — he sustained it over the course of the tournament, scoring four centuries and anchoring RR’s journey to the final. His ability to accelerate in the second half of an innings and target specific bowlers for assault made him one of the most dangerous batters that year.

3. Andre Russell – Raw Power in 2019

Andre Russell’s 2019 season with Kolkata Knight Riders was nothing short of carnage. The West Indian all-rounder hit 52 sixes — many of them landing in the upper stands or even outside stadium boundaries. What made Russell’s performance even more impressive was the context in which he delivered.

Often coming in during the final overs, Russell would turn games single-handedly, finishing with strike rates well above 200. He had fewer balls to face but made every one of them count. It wasn’t just brute force — Russell’s timing and bat speed were otherworldly, and his fearless attitude made him a fan favorite.

4. Ab de Villiers – Innovation and Power (2016)

AB de Villiers was never the typical six-hitter like Gayle or Russell, but in 2016, playing for RCB, he showed just how destructive his brand of 360-degree cricket could be. With 37 sixes, AB’s sixes came in all shapes and directions — ramps over fine leg, reverse scoops, and the good old-fashioned straight drives that cleared the ropes.

His partnership with Virat Kohli that season was legendary, and while Kohli topped the run charts, it was AB’s sixes that often stole the limelight with their sheer audacity and innovation.

5. Faf du Plessis – Consistency Over Brute Force (2023)

In 2023, Faf du Plessis led RCB from the front and had one of his most prolific seasons. While not known as a six-hitter earlier in his career, Faf showed a new gear to his game, hitting 36 sixes that year. His role as an opener meant he set the tone, and he balanced anchor duties with regular power-hitting.

Faf's transformation into a boundary machine in his 30s speaks volumes of how players continue to adapt and thrive in the IPL ecosystem.

Conclusion

The record for most sixes in a single IPL season isn’t just about numbers — it represents dominance, confidence, and the ability to change games in a matter of minutes. Whether it’s Gayle’s brute power, Buttler’s finesse, or Russell’s madness, these seasons remind us why the IPL is the best T20 league in the world. One big hit at a time, these players rewrote what it means to be a match-winner in the modern game.