Longest six in IPL history

In the Indian Premier League, teams seek players capable of consistently hitting powerful sixes. These power hitters not only enhance the game’s excitement but also provide fans with the spectacle of witnessing massive sixes. Many prominent names have been behind smashing the longest six in IPL season. Given Pooran’s aggressive batting style, this feat was not unexpected. Other notable big hitters like MS Dhoni and Sanju Samson also managed to hit sixes exceeding 100 metres.

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However, the record for the longest six in IPL history belongs to former all-rounder Albie Morkel, a surprising fact considering the presence of renowned players like MS Dhoni and Chris Gayle. Morkel’s monumental 125-meter six came against Pragyan Ojha during the inaugural 2008 season when he played for the Chennai Super Kings. Remarkably, Morkel remains the sole player to surpass the 125-meter mark in the IPL. His explosive innings against Royal Challengers Bangalore, during which he scored 28 runs off a single over bowled by Virat Kohli, remains etched in the memories of fans.

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Longest six in IPL history by year

Sixes play a crucial role in shaping the excitement and outcome of matches in the IPL. They not only boost a team’s score but also energize the players and fans. Sixes often change the momentum of the game, swinging it in favor of the batting side. They can demoralize the bowling team and lift the spirits of the batting side, leading to remarkable comebacks or dominant performances.

Six-hitting prowess is a prized skill, with players like Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers becoming fan favorites for their ability to clear the ropes effortlessly. In the IPL, sixes are not just about scoring runs but also about creating unforgettable moments that define the essence of the tournament.

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On that note, here are the longest six in IPL history by year.

• Albie Morkel, the former South African all-rounder, set the IPL record for the longest six during IPL 2008 while playing for the Chennai Super Kings against the now-defunct Deccan Chargers. Morkel smashed a colossal 125-meter six off the bowling of left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha. This remarkable feat remains the longest six in IPL history, even after 15 seasons.

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• Surprisingly, former Indian fast bowler Praveen Kumar holds the second spot for the longest sixes in IPL. Kumar hit a 125-meter six over long-off against Mumbai Indians’ ace bowler Lasith Malinga during a match between MI and KXIP in IPL 2013.

• Chris Gayle, known as the Universe Boss, holds the record for the most sixes in IPL history, with 357 in 141 innings. His longest six in IPL, at 119 meters, was against Ashok Dinda during his aggressive innings of 175* against Pune Warriors India in 2013. Gayle has hit some of the longest sixes in IPL history.

• Despite Gayle’s massive six, it ranks fifth in the list of longest sixes in IPL history. Yuvraj Singh and Ross Taylor have also hit the longest sixes in IPL history (119 meters) at different times.

• Another entry in the top 5 longest sixes in IPL history is Gautam Gambhir. Known for his precise stroke play rather than power-hitting, Gambhir rarely hit sixes. However, during a chase against Rajasthan Royals in 2013, Gambhir stepped out of his crease and slightly lifted his back foot to slog Sreesanth over deep square leg for a maximum.

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IPL 2024 Indian batters to watch out for

Longest six in IPL cricket history aside, the Indian team is currently engaged in a fierce battle to secure positions in the batting lineup, from the opening slots to the finisher’s role, ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. While stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli seem to have their spots secured, competition for the remaining slots has intensified.

Batters like Suryakumar Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal have also made their mark. With multiple deserving candidates for each position, the selectors will face a tough task finalizing the squad. IPL 2024 will also serve as a crucial platform for selection into the T20 World Cup squad. As the global event approaches, the upcoming season will be a significant opportunity for players to showcase their skills.

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That said, here are the top IPL 2024 Indian batters to watch out for:

• Ruturaj Gaikwad: Known for his explosive batting in the top order, Ruturaj Gaikwad has performed well in domestic cricket and for CSK in IPL. However, transitioning to the international stage has been challenging for him. Despite showing glimpses of his potential, Gaikwad has struggled to replicate his IPL success in international matches. As he prepares for IPL 2024, Gaikwad’s main focus will be on translating his domestic and T20 league skills into impactful performances at the international level.

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• Shreyas Iyer: A stable middle-order batter, Shreyas Iyer is facing inconsistency. His recent performances have been below his usual standards, and the competition in the middle order has intensified with players like Kohli and Suryakumar. IPL 2024 will be crucial for Iyer, leading the Kolkata Knight Riders, to regain form.

• Rinku Singh: A dynamic finisher, Rinku Singh has established himself as a reliable player in the T20 format. With impressive performances in domestic cricket and glimpses of his finishing skills in the league for KKR, Rinku is set to play a vital role in IPL 2024. A consistent and impactful performance in the tournament will not only enhance his reputation as a finisher but also confirm his place in the World Cup 2024 squad.

• Shubman Gill: Seen as a talented player, Shubman Gill has recently faced a drop in form. Despite this, Gill’s ability to anchor an innings is well-known. However, the emergence of Jaiswal and other young talents has put Gill under scrutiny. IPL 2024 becomes crucial for Gill, who will lead the Gujarat Titans (GT), to regain form, solidify his place in the top order, and prove his worth.

• Tilak Varma: Tilak Varma has shown impressive temperament in the IPL for Mumbai Indians (MI). However, concerns have been raised about his strike rate in T20 cricket. As he prepares for IPL 2024, Varma will focus on adapting to the fast-paced nature of the game. A successful season will not only address doubts about his T20 skills but also position him as a valuable asset in India’s T20 World Cup squad.

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When will IPL 2024 start?

The eagerly awaited Indian Premier League is scheduled to commence on March 22 and will take place entirely in India, despite the general elections taking place at the same time.

In 2009, the Indian Premier League was entirely hosted overseas (South Africa), and in 2014, a part of the tournament took place in the UAE due to the general elections. However, in 2019, the league was held in India despite the elections.

With the T20 World Cup starting shortly after the conclusion of the IPL, the final is likely to be held on May 26.

India’s opening World Cup match against Ireland is scheduled for June 5 in New York, while the ICC tournament kicks off with a clash between the USA and Canada on June 1.

Following tradition, the league will kick off with a match between the previous year’s finalists, with the Chennai Super Kings taking on the Gujarat Titans.

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IPL 2024 auction

The player auction for the 2024 season took place in December last year, with Australian pacer Mitchell Starc becoming the most expensive player in IPL history after being purchased by the Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 24.75 crore. All that being said, it will be interesting to see if anyone hits the longest six in IPL cricket history this time around.