Gayle becomes first player to hit 1,000 T20 sixes

The self-proclaimed ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle added another record to his outstanding T20 career, becoming the first player to hit 1,000 sixes in the format.

The Jamaican started Match 50 of IPL 2020 on 993 maximums and duly reached the landmark in the penultimate over by depositing rookie Indian pacer Karthik Tyagi over the leg-side boundary.

Gayle was eventually dismissed for 99 off 63 balls- bowled by Jofra Archer in the final over- but his knock took Kings XI Punjab to 185-4 against Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi.

“Still enjoying it out there. Having fun. Oh, 1000 maximums? Another record. Still have to be hitting it well at the age of 41. Got to give thanks for that. To those who wanted a century, I am sorry I missed out today, but in my mind it is a century, all right?” ESPNCricinfo quoted Gayle as saying at the innings break.

Gayle’s fellow West Indies teammate Kieron Pollard is second on the all-time list of six-hitters with 690, followed by Brendon McCullum (485), Shane Watson (467), Andre Russell (447) and AB deVilliers (417).

Gayle is also the leading runscorer in the format with 13,572 runs and has the most centuries (22).