IPL history: Most sixes hit by a batsman in 2018 season

T20 cricket’s first motive is entertainment and nothing entertains the crowd more than a six. The sound of the ball hitting the bat, then achieving a soaring height with tremendous speed and then eventually crashing into the stands, every bit captures the audience. Also, with the ball landing in your stand, it is the closest you can get to the actual action. Six is the currency of T20 cricket.

The IPL knows it. They used to host a competition where the batsmen try to hit the longest six on a ball delivered by the bowling machine. Even in the tournament, the sixes count is displayed after every boundary clearance. 2018 was no different. There were a total of 872 sixes hit in the season, the most ever in a single edition. Following are the ten leading contributors in setting up this record.

#10 Evin Lewis (Mumbai Indians) - 24

The West Indian opener played his debut season in the 2018 IPL. There were tremendous expectations from this youngster who batted in the mould of his mentor, Chris Gayle. Mumbai Indians signed Evin Lewis on the back of his exceptional performances in International cricket.

Opening the batting at the Wankhede Stadium, Lewis had an average season. He still finishes at the tenth spot in the most sixes list. The Windies batsman struck 24 sixes in 13 appearances. Lewis scored 382 runs in his first season.

#9 Chris Gayle (Kings XI Punjab) - 27

Chris Gayle’s legendary status in T20 cricket grew by one season at a time. When the Universe Boss came out to bat at the top for Royal Challengers Bangalore, the bowlers dreaded to confront him. Roofs of the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore bear the marks of Gayle’s ferocity.

Despite his waning powers, Gayle still managed to earn his position in the list of most sixes in 2018 IPL. Representing Kings XI Punjab, the Jamaican marauder smashed 27 sixes in his 11 appearances. Gayle also added another IPL century to his record in this season.