MS Dhoni stands far ahead of every other batter in the list of batters with most sixes in death overs IPL history. The former Chennai Super Kings captain has cleared the ropes 186 times in the last four overs of an innings, a full 59 sixes more than second placed Kieron Pollard. No other finisher has even reached 130.
In T20 cricket, the last four overs decide many matches. Bowlers attack with yorkers and slower balls, while batters hunt for boundaries. The batters who master this phase become the most valuable finishers in the league. This article lists the top 10 six hitters in IPL death overs, with verified numbers for every player on the list.
Only four batters have hit 100 or more sixes in the death overs. Dhoni is the only one to cross 150. The table below shows how far ahead he is, and which modern finishers are climbing the chart.
IPL Stats: Batters with Most Sixes in Death Overs Overview
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Record | Most sixes by a batter in IPL death overs (overs 17 to 20) |
| Holder | MS Dhoni |
| Headline number | 186 sixes in 184 innings |
| Time span | 2008 to 2026 |
| Next best | Kieron Pollard with 127 sixes |
Dhoni also scored 2,936 runs in this phase from 1,565 balls, with 220 fours, at an average of 34.13 and a strike rate close to 190. See the full breakdown of Dhoni’s death overs batting record for his complete numbers against pace and spin.
Top 10 Batters with Most Sixes in Death Overs
| Rank | Batter | Innings | Sixes | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MS Dhoni | 184 | 186 | Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiant |
| 2 | Kieron Pollard | 117 | 127 | Mumbai Indians |
| 3 | AB de Villiers | 75 | 112 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals |
| 4 | Andre Russell | 68 | 100 | Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals |
| 5 | Dinesh Karthik | 117 | 91 | Multiple teams |
| 6 | Hardik Pandya | 90 | 89 | Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans |
| 7 | Rohit Sharma | 76 | 79 | Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers |
| 8 | Ravindra Jadeja | 140 | 75 | Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and others |
| 9 | Virat Kohli | 72 | 72 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| 10 | David Miller | 85 | 63 | Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants |
Six counts are for overs 17 to 20 and are updated through October 2026. AB de Villiers has the highest strike rate among the great death over hitters, scoring above 230 in this phase. Andre Russell strikes above 200. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the only top order batters on the list, which makes their 70 plus sixes in the final overs even more impressive.
Record History
In 2020, ESPNcricinfo reported that Dhoni had hit 136 sixes in the last four overs, with Pollard next on 92 and de Villiers on 83. Six seasons later the top four have all moved well past 100, but Dhoni has stretched his lead even further.
| Period | MS Dhoni | Kieron Pollard | AB de Villiers | Andre Russell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 136 | 92 | 83 | 62 |
| October 2026 | 186 | 127 | 112 | 100 |
The biggest climb came from Andre Russell, who crossed 100 death over sixes to join the elite group of four. De Villiers passed 100 before his retirement, while Pollard and Dhoni kept adding to their totals every season. Dhoni also owns the kind of final over hitting that has won Chennai Super Kings many matches from impossible positions.
What This Record Tells Us
Dhoni’s lead comes from two things: a very long career and a role built around finishing. For years, Chennai Super Kings planned their innings so that he would be at the crease in the final overs. That planning shows in the numbers: 184 innings in the death phase, far more than anyone else on the list.
Efficiency tells a different story. De Villiers and Russell strike above 200 in the death overs, which means they clear the ropes more often per ball faced. Their lower totals come from fewer innings, not weaker hitting.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stand out for a different reason. Both spent most of their careers as openers, yet both reached 70 plus sixes in the death overs. Openers rarely bat in the final overs, so their presence on this list shows rare all round batting quality.
More than 11 batters have now crossed 50 sixes in the death overs, so the list will keep changing. But Dhoni’s mark of 186, and his lead of 59 sixes over second place, looks safe for a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has hit the most sixes in IPL death overs?
MS Dhoni, with 186 sixes in overs 17 to 20 across 184 innings. Kieron Pollard is second with 127.
What are death overs in T20 cricket?
The death overs are the last four overs of an innings, overs 17 to 20. This is when batting sides push for maximum runs and bowling sides rely on yorkers and slower balls.
Who has the best strike rate in IPL death overs?
AB de Villiers, at above 230, among batters with 500 plus runs in this phase. His 112 sixes came in only 75 innings.
Who has hit the most sixes in the 20th over in IPL?
MS Dhoni, with more than 70 sixes in the final over alone. He is the only batter with 50 plus sixes in the last over of an innings.
What is the most sixes hit by a batter in death overs in a single IPL innings?
Yuvraj Singh hit nine sixes in the last four overs during his 58 off 19 balls against Delhi Daredevils in 2014.
Which batters have hit 100 plus sixes in IPL death overs?
Four batters: MS Dhoni (186), Kieron Pollard (127), AB de Villiers (112), and Andre Russell (100).
Does Virat Kohli have many sixes in IPL death overs?
Yes. Despite batting mostly as an opener, Kohli has hit 72 sixes in the death overs at a strike rate above 200.
Statistics updated through: 23 October 2026
