Just like every other aspect of the game, hitting sixes is also an art that requires immense strength, timing and precision. If even one of the factors is lacking, the batsman is bound to mistime a shot straight into the hands of the deep fielders, losing his wicket. Thus said, it is very rewarding and if a batsman can pull the momentum in the team’s favour by executing even one shot neatly, there is a high probability of him doing the same in the next few balls and making his way into record books of cricket.
While we already have 3 international players, Yuvraj Singh, Herschelle Gibbs and recently Kieron Pollard hitting 6 sixes in an over in international cricket, the feat is yet to be achieved at the world’s most lucrative league, the IPL. There is not much time left for the commencement of the new season and given the recent form and six-hitting spree, we may witness the landmark in the upcoming edition itself. On that note, we look at 5 batsmen, who could hit 6 sixes in an over at IPL 2021:
1. Andre Russell
‘Dre Russ’ as his fans call him lovingly has to be right up there when it comes to achieving this feat in any form of cricket, let alone T20. Given his muscular physique and bulging biceps, Russell can clear even the biggest of boundaries with consummate ease and thus, there is no breathing space for the bowlers when they bowl against him.
In his long IPL career so far, Russell has smashed 129 sixes while maintaining a staggering strike rate of 182.33 and also became the second player after Gayle to hit more than 50 sixes in a single season, having achieved it during IPL 2019.
With the IPL returning to India, Russell will fancy his chances to hit 6 sixes on the batting-friendly grounds of the nation, achieving the feat and also pulling off an unbelievable victory for his second home, Kolkata.
2. Chris Gayle
Widely known as the ‘Universe Boss’, Gayle is identified as the one who could dominate opposition bowling attacks and give them a run for their money. An easy swing of the bat combined with some brute force is enough for the tall West Indian to send the ball packing into the crowd.
Just like Russell, when Gayle hits them, they stay hit and seldom do we see the man holing out to fielders in the deep. The powerful southpaw has struck 349 sixes in IPL cricket while maintaining a strike rate of 150.11. The man also holds the record for hammering more than 50 sixes in 2 different seasons of the IPL, showing his prowess in the cash-rich league.
Having been ignored from the selection in the initial phase of the tournament, the Punjab Kings soon realised his importance and carved a place for him in the playing XI, witnessing his magic. With only a few years left before he calls it to quit, Gayle would love to achieve the feat and see his side lift the trophy for the first time in IPL history.
3. AB de Villiers
A modern-day genius, who seems to have answers to every tricky question asked by the bowler, de Villiers belongs to a league of his own. The man has every shot in his illustrious book and can execute it with perfection as per the situation demands, marking it a nightmare for the bowlers.
Having played for DC previously, ABD is widely acknowledged for his contributions to the RCB outfit, scoring runs for them on a consistent basis. The fierce striker has hit a total of 235 sixes at the IPL while maintaining a strike rate of 151.91.
While most batsmen bound to struggle after retirement, here is de Villiers still garnering runs for fun donning the red jersey and given this rich vein of form, we can expect him to smack 6 sixes in an over and get the better of the opposition.
4. Kieron Pollard
Having done it recently, MI’s vital cog in the middle order, Pollard will have his eyes set on achieving the record yet again albeit in IPL cricket. It is quite amazing to see him pummel the bowlers, especially the spinners down the ground and make a light work of their art.
Given his height and reach, Pollard can easily hook or pull a bowler to far distances over the square-leg fence, making him a difficult candidate to bowl against. The hard-hitter from Trinidad and Tobago has collected 198 sixes while maintaining a strike rate of 149.88 playing for MI.
Considering the team’s winning streak and his recent impeccable form, Pollard seems to be the frontrunner in the race to hit 6 sixes in an over, marking some serious embarrassment for the opposition bowler and the franchise.
5. Hardik Pandya
Last couple of years have been surreal for the junior Pandya, who has stroked everything off the middle part of his bat. His back and across the movement, staying deep in the crease to fetch even the fullest of balls has paid him rich dividends and made it one heck of a task for the bowlers to execute the ideal lines and lengths.
The man possesses a lot of power in his forearms and hence can pull off difficult shots like the helicopter, getting close to emulating its advocator, the great MS Dhoni. Hardik has plundered 93 sixes for MI while maintaining a strike rate of 159.27.
After a serious back injury, cricket maniacs were worried if Hardik could be back at his best, winning matches for the franchise and country. Putting all their doubts to bed, he not only performed well for MI in IPL 2020 but also helped India in clinching the T20I series against Australia, augmenting the possibility of him achieving the feat in the upcoming season.
