Analysis
IPL 2024: Top 5 most iconic sixes in IPL history
IPL is the biggest cricket league since its inception. The batters surprised the crowd and attracted the people to watch the matches. In the era of T20 cricket batters are the most happening entities. When they hit some outrageous shots, people go crazy and ask for more. In turn, it brings the venue for the game and excitement among the fans. It is one of the reasons behind the flat nature of the wickets in recent times in T20 cricket.
The league has witnessed some insane shots over the years. Some of them are the result of the brute strength of the batters. Some are so lovely to watch for the way it was timed by the batters. There are both types of batters in the league who can hit sixes with their strength and class. These sixes are remembered by the fans for a long time. Some such sixes have become so iconic that they cannot be recreated often by the batters.
Here are the Top 5 most iconic sixes in the IPL history.
5. Praveen Kumar’s 124 m six against Rajasthan Royals
Praveen Kumar (Source: X)
Probably none would have expected Praveen Kumar on the list. After all, he is a bowler by nature and not a batter. Praveen was a swing bowler by nature and could slog the ball hard later in the innings with the bat. The six he hit was against Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural season of the IPL. RCB did not have a good season in the IPL 2008.
The shot by Praveen is remembered by the fans to date. When Praveen timed it, the ball went miles and landed over the roof. The distance of the six was estimated to be 124 meters, which is the joint highest in the history of the league. The record which was set in 2008 has not been broken to date by any, which shows how great the shot was from the batter.
4. Albie Morkel’s 124 m six against Pragyan Ojha
Albie Morkel (Source: X)
Albie Morkel was one of the best finishers in the league in the first few seasons. The All-rounder was a very good bowler with the new ball and finished the innings lower down the order. As a hitter, Morkel was known for his destruction which could pull off the games from difficult situations. Morkel has played many such knocks in his career.
The South African batter played for CSK in the first few seasons and was an integral part of the franchise that won the league in 2010 and 2011. Before it could happen, CSK entered the final in 2008. In the season, Morkel hit a gigantic six against Pragyan Ojha in the game against Deccan Chargers. the ball travelled for a huge distance of 124 meters.
3. Virat Kohli’s cover drive to hit Corey Anderson for six
Virat Kohli (Source: X)
Virat Kohli timed a good length ball with such a class that it became iconic for the viewers who watched it live. It was the match between RCB and DC in the IPL 2017 in Delhi. In the home ground of Virat, both the sides played for pride as there was nothing left for the sides in the 2017 edition of the league, where they had a forgettable outing.
This did not make the match boring. there were several good moments in the match. The most iconic of them all was the six from Virat Kohli. It was a cover drive against Corey Anderson, who bowled a good length delivery. Virat just pushed the ball with his cover drive and the shot was so good that it travelled over the fence without pitching on the field.
2. Ab De Villiers hitting six against Dale Steyn off a yorker
Ab De Villiers (Source: X)
Ab De Villiers was one of the best batters of his time. In the history of the IPL, the star batter is arguably the greatest finisher. De Villiers won many matches singlehandedly for DC and RCB while playing in the IPL. The star batter was known for his unorthodox nature of batting. But his most incredible shot in the history of the IPL was as orthodox as it could get.
De Villiers smashed the best bowler of his time, a former teammate Dale Steyn, in the match between RCB and Deccan Chargers in the IPL 2012. Both the players were at their prime and the RCB crowd encouraged both the players to give their best. As Steyn bowled an inch-perfect yorker, De Villiers went slightly inside the crease and dispatched the ball over the extra cover region.
1. MS Dhoni’s helicopter shot against Lasith Malinga off a yorker
MS Dhoni (Source: X)
MS Dhoni is regarded to be the greatest finisher in the league by many. The shot against Lasith Malinga in the Eliminator of the IPL 2012 might just prove the reason behind the fact. It was the best batter of the time against the best bowler of the time in their favourite fields – Death overs. It could not get any better than that. The players indeed made it a spectacle.
Malinga bowled one of the most perfect Yorkers of all time. Dhoni being Dhoni brought the helicopter shot against the bowler from Sri Lanka. The shot of the former Indian captain was so crazy that the ball travelled for a good distance. The crowd of commentators went crazy over the shot. To date, it is iconic and considered one of the greatest sixes in the history of the sport.
