On This Day, 12 December 2017: Chris Gayle Hits Most Sixes In A T20 Innings – News18

Last Updated:December 12, 2024, 09:58 IST

West Indies legend Chris Gayle opened for his team in the Bangladesh Premier League and struck as many as 18 sixes to score an unbeaten 146 off 69 balls.

When it comes to hitting sixes, a few batters may have been able to match the skills of Chris Gayle. Nicknamed the “Universe Boss”, Gayle has secured several monumental records with his power-packed batting. One such feat was achieved during a final match of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on this day (December 12) in 2017.

Gayle was part of Rangpur Riders who clashed against Dhaka Dynamite at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. Gayle opened for his team and struck as many as 18 sixes to score an unbeaten 146 off 69 balls. It led the Caribbean legend to create a record for the most sixes in a T20 innings.

Estonia’s Sahil Chauhan matched the feat during a T20 International against Cyprus earlier in January this year. Chauhan wreaked havoc in the second innings when his team was chasing a hefty 192-run target.

Besides 18 maximums, he smashed six fours off 41 deliveries and remained unbeaten at 144.

Meanwhile, Chris Gayle started his innings in the 2017 BPL final quite slowly. He hit just two sixes in the first ten overs and took time to settle at the crease. The former West Indies batter later went on a rampage and appeared at his devastating best to demolish the opposition bowling unit.

Apart from 18 sixes, his 146-run knock also featured five fours.

While Gayle was showcasing his big-hitting prowess, Brendon McCullum held the wicket at the other end.

The New Zealand star faced 43 balls and added 51 runs to the score, hitting four boundaries and three sixes. Powered by their massive partnership, Rangpur Riders produced a mammoth 206, losing just one wicket in 20 overs.

Coming to chase, Dhaka Dynamites could have scored 149 at a loss of nine wickets. Jahurul Islam was their top performer with 50 runs, while captain Shakib Al Hasan contributed 26. With the dominant 57-run win in Mirpur, Rangpur Riders secured their maiden BPL title.

Chris Gayle had held the previous record for the most sixes in a T20 innings as well.

He registered 17 sixes for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2013 Indian Premier League. In that match against Pune Warriors, Gayle scored 175 which leads the charts for the most individual scores in a T20 game.