Abhishek Sharma Breaks Record For Most Sixes By An Indian In IPL 2024

Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder Abhishek Sharma on Sunday, May 19, surpassed Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant's record for the most sixes by an Indian in a single IPL season. This achievement came during SRH's 4-wicket victory over Punjab Kings in IPL 2024 match 69.

Chasing a target of 215, Abhishek set the tone for SRH with a rapid 66 off 28 balls, hitting six maximums. His performance was pivotal in the run chase at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

With this result, SRH moved to the second spot on the points table. They remained there due to a better Net Run Rate (NRR) compared to Rajasthan Royals, whose final league stage match against Kolkata Knight Riders was abandoned due to rain.

Abhishek's six sixes took him to the top for most sixes in the ongoing season, surpassing Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Kohli and Nicholas Pooran of Lucknow Super Giants. With 41 sixes so far, Abhishek Sharma now holds the record for the most sixes in a single season by an Indian player.

The 23-year-old from Punjab and his team SRH have excelled in hitting sixes this season. While he currently leads the sixes chart for the season, SRH leads the sixes chart by a team in IPL history with 160 sixes in 13 matches.

1. Abhishek Sharma (SRH) - 41 sixes in 13 innings (2024)
2. Virat Kohli (RCB) - 38 sixes in 16 innings (2016)
3. Rishabh Pant (DC) - 37 sixes in 14 innings (2018)
4. Virat Kohli (RCB) - 37 sixes in 14 innings (2024)
5. Shivam Dube (CSK) - 35 sixes in 16 innings (2023)
6. Ambati Rayudu (CSK) - 34 sixes in 16 innings (2018)
7. Shubman Gill (GT) - 33 sixes in 17 innings (2023)
8. KL Rahul (PBKS) - 32 sixes in 14 innings (2018)
9. Riyan Parag (RR) - 31 sixes in 13 innings (2024)
10. Rajat Patidar (RCB) - 31 sixes in 14 innings (2024)

This is the first time an Indian player has crossed 40 sixes in a season. Abhishek could be joined by Kohli soon as he is just four big hits away from crossing this landmark but may get only one match to achieve that feat.

Although Abhishek Sharma has created the record for an Indian player with most sixes in a season, he is still far from the overall record held by Chris Gayle, who smashed 59 sixes in the 2012 season.

Gayle also hit the 50-sixes mark in the 2013 season, while his compatriot Andre Russell, who currently plays for Kolkata Knight Riders, had also hit over 50 sixes in a single season. This makes them the only players to achieve this feat.

With at least two more matches left to play, Abhishek Sharma is on track to become the fourth player to reach this unique milestone as SRH face KKR in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, May 21, in Ahmedabad.