In T20 cricket, the first over can dictate the flow of an entire match. While most batters take time to settle in, there are a few fearless strikers who love to attack from the very beginning. Those who feature in the list of Most Sixes in 1st Over in IPL have shown remarkable confidence, aggression, and impeccable timing making this bold move their signature style.
In this article, we spotlight the top 5 players with the most sixes in 1st over in IPL history. These are the men who made fast starts a thrilling part of the game.
List of Top 5 Players with Most Sixes in 1st Over in IPL
5. Brendon McCullum
Brendon McCullum will forever be remembered for kick-starting the IPL with a thunderous 158 in the very first match of the tournament back in 2008. That innings didn’t just mark the birth of the IPL it introduced the idea of all-out attack from the first over, a mindset that inspired many to chase the record for Most Sixes in 1st Over in IPL. Throughout his IPL career, McCullum continued to be one of the most dangerous openers, using his fearless approach to unsettle bowlers from ball one.
With 10 sixes in the first over, McCullum made it a habit to take bowlers by surprise before they could even settle into a rhythm. His strength was in improvisation, using the crease and changing his stance to create scoring opportunities. His early blitzes often gave his team instant momentum, which is why his presence at the top was so feared.
| Matches | 1st Over Sixes | Total Sixes |
| 109 | 10 | 130 |
4. Virat Kohli
While Virat Kohli is known for his consistency and calculated aggression, he has also shown an ability to go hard right from the beginning. As an opener for Royal Challengers Bangalore in several seasons, Kohli has stepped up when the team needed a fiery start.
With 11 sixes in the first over, Kohli ranks among the top players with the most sixes in 1st over in IPL. His style isn’t always about brute force it’s about placement, timing, and domination of the bowler’s mind. When Kohli chooses to go big early, he does it with clinical precision. His explosive intent, especially during powerplays, gave RCB multiple solid platforms to build on.
| Matches | 1st Over Sixes | Total Sixes |
| 267 | 11 | 291 |
3. Virender Sehwag
Before aggressive openers became the norm in T20s, there was Virender Sehwag a batsman who played every ball on its merit, with the intent to hit it out of the park, and one of the pioneers responsible for some of the Most Sixes in 1st Over in IPL history. Sehwag didn’t believe in settling in or rotating the strike. If the ball was there to be hit, he swung hard and clean.
Sehwag smashed 12 sixes in the first over, making him one of the pioneers in launching attacks right from the start. His explosive starts helped Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) and Kings XI Punjab gain early advantages in multiple games. Sehwag’s fearless mindset set the tone for future generations, inspiring many others to become powerplay attackers.
His ability to dominate from ball one helped him cement his place among the legends with the most sixes in 1st over in IPL.
| Matches | 1st Over Sixes | Total Sixes |
| 104 | 12 | 106 |
2. Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle didn’t just hit sixes he crushed them. Known as the “Universe Boss,” Gayle was the biggest entertainer in the IPL. Bowlers feared his presence because they knew that even one small mistake could result in the ball disappearing into the crowd.
With 12 first-over sixes, Gayle is tied at the top for the most sixes in 1st over in IPL history. His monstrous hitting ability was unmatched, and he never shied away from taking the attack to the bowlers right from the start. Whether playing for RCB, KKR, or PBKS, Gayle lit up stadiums with his power and confidence.
What made Gayle special was his natural strength and minimal foot movement he simply stood still and swung his bat like a hammer. His blazing starts not only destroyed bowling plans but also thrilled fans all over the world.
| Matches | 1st Over Sixes | Total Sixes |
| 142 | 12 | 357 |
1. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma, also known as the ‘Hitman’, is one of the most complete batsmen in T20 history. While many think of Rohit as a player who takes his time to build an innings, his IPL stats tell a different story. With 12 sixes in the first over, he leads the list (jointly) for the most sixes in 1st over in IPL history.
Rohit’s ability to read the bowler early and execute big shots with elegance makes him a unique threat. Whether it’s a pick-up shot over fine leg or a graceful loft over mid-off, Rohit has all the strokes in the book. His calm demeanor combined with sudden bursts of power have earned him countless fans and helped Mumbai Indians dominate in multiple seasons.
Even under pressure, Rohit has shown the confidence to take on the best bowlers from ball one often shifting the game’s momentum before it even settles.
| Matches | 1st Over Sixes | Total Sixes |
| 272 | 12 | 302 |
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FAQ
Who holds the record for the Most Sixes in 1st Over in IPL history?
Rohit Sharma, Chris Gayle, and Virender Sehwag are tied at the top with 12 sixes each in the Most Sixes in 1st Over in IPL, making them the most dangerous openers in IPL history.
Why is the first over so important in T20 cricket?
The first over sets the tone for the innings. A strong start with boundaries, especially sixes, can put immediate pressure on bowlers and boost the batting team’s momentum.
How do these players manage to hit so many sixes in the first over?
They combine timing, power, and fearlessness. Players like Gayle and Rohit read the bowler early, use minimal footwork, and hit with perfect placement, maximizing scoring opportunities from ball one.
Has anyone ever scored more than 12 sixes in the first over in IPL?
No, as of now, 12 sixes in the first over is the record, jointly held by Rohit Sharma, Chris Gayle, and Virender Sehwag Most Sixes in 1st Over in IPL. No player has surpassed this milestone yet.
Do all openers in IPL try to hit sixes from the first over?
Not all. While some openers, like McCullum or Gayle, attack aggressively, others like Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma may choose calculated aggression depending on conditions, focusing on timing and placement rather than sheer power every time.