Chris Gayle dominates list for most sixes in a calendar year

Flamboyant West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle holds the record for the most sixes in a calendar year. Chris Gayle smashed 135 maximums in 36 matches in 2015.

Representing the West Indies national team in international cricket as well as playing for several T20 franchises across the globe, Gayle clobbered the most sixes in the year 2015. He represented franchises including Bangalore in the Indian T20 League, Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League (BBL), Barisal Bulls (now Fortune Barishal) in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and Somerset in the T20 Blast that year.

In 2015, Gayle was in staggering form as he amassed 1,665 runs in 36 innings at an impressive average of 59.46. The swashbuckling southpaw registered three hundreds and 10 fifties. Along with 135 sixes, the Jamaica-born cricketer hit 123 fours.

Nicknamed the ‘Universe Boss’, Gayle has been known for his big-hitting prowess over the years. Such has been his dominance, he also owns the record for the most sixes in a calendar year in 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2017.

In 2012, Gayle slammed 121 sixes in 40 matches, which is currently the second-highest in a calendar year.

Playing for Bangalore, Barisal Burners (now Fortune Barishal), Sydney Thunder and the West Indies cricket team, Gayle scored 1,532 runs in 38 innings at an average of 47.87. He recorded two centuries and 13 fifties in 2012.

The left-hander has also smashed 116 sixes in 2011, 112 maximums in 2016, 101 sixes in 2017 as well as 100 maximums in 2013.

Interestingly, Gayle also holds the record for most sixes in T20 cricket. The hard-hitting batter has smashed 1056 sixes in 463 matches.

Apart from Chris Gayle, compatriot Andre Russell is currently the only other cricketer to hit more than 100 sixes in a calendar year. The West Indies all-rounder clobbered 101 maximums in 46 matches in the calendar year of 2019.

During that period, Russell represented Kolkata in the Indian T20 League, Dhaka Dynamites and Rajshahi Royals in the Bangladesh Premier League and Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He accumulated 1,080 runs in 41 innings at an average of 38.57 including registering four half-centuries. Apart from his 101 sixes, Russell also recorded 68 fours in that year.

New Zealand wicket-keeper batter duo of Glenn Phillips, Brendon McCullum and former West Indies captain Kieron Pollard complete the top 10 list.

While Phillips managed to hit 97 sixes in the calendar year of 2021, Kieron Pollard smashed 96 sixes in 2019. Meanwhile, Brendon McCullum clobbered 94 sixes in 54 matches in 2017.

Most sixes in a calendar year

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Featured photo: INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / AFP