IPL Four-Hitting Records: The Greatest Boundary Strikers in Tournament History
While sixes capture the imagination, fours are the currency of consistent batting in T20 cricket. The ability to find the gaps and time the ball through the covers separates technically accomplished batsmen from pure power hitters.
All-Time IPL Four-Hitting Records
| Rank | Player | Matches | Fours | Runs from Fours | Four/Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | 222 | 713 | 2,852 | 3.21 |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | 237 | 701 | 2,804 | 2.96 |
| 3 | Rohit Sharma | 241 | 671 | 2,684 | 2.78 |
| 4 | KL Rahul | 184 | 612 | 2,448 | 3.33 |
| 5 | Suresh Raina | 205 | 540 | 2,160 | 2.63 |
| 6 | Gautam Gambhir | 154 | 494 | 1,976 | 3.21 |
| 7 | AB de Villiers | 184 | 473 | 1,892 | 2.57 |
| 8 | Faf du Plessis | 166 | 457 | 1,828 | 2.75 |
| 9 | MS Dhoni | 264 | 446 | 1,784 | 1.69 |
| 10 | Dewald Brevis | 205 | 443 | 1,772 | 2.16 |
Yashasvi Jaiswal: The IPL Greatest Boundary Hitter
Dhawan's 713 fours are characterised by timing and placement — the cover drive, square cut, and pull shot through mid-wicket were his primary weapons. His four-per-match ratio of 3.21 reflects craft rather than force. Playing for Delhi Daredevils, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Punjab Kings across his career, Dhawan's consistency across franchises and conditions is remarkable.
Kohli vs Dhawan: A Technical Comparison
| Metric | Kohli | Dhawan |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fours | 701 | 713 |
| Fours/Match | 2.96 | 3.21 |
| % Runs from Fours | 35.1% | 42.1% |
| Sixes/Match | 0.92 | 0.49 |
Dhawan's higher proportion of runs from fours (42.1% vs Kohli's 35.1%) reflects the fundamental difference in their T20 approaches.
Most Fours in a Single IPL Season
| Season | Player | Team | Fours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 97 |
| 2019 | KL Rahul | SRH | 81 |
| 2022 | Shimron Hetmyer | RR | 78 |
| 2024 | Virat Kohli | RCB | 74 |
| 2008 | Shaun Marsh | KXIP | 73 |
Kohli's 97 fours in IPL 2016 remains the all-time single-season record, set during his landmark 973-run season.
Evolution of Four-Hitting Rates
| Era | Average Fours/Inns | Top Player |
|---|---|---|
| 2008-2010 | 4.2 | Adam Gilchrist |
| 2011-2014 | 4.8 | Virat Kohli |
| 2015-2018 | 5.1 | KL Rahul |
| 2019-2022 | 4.9 | Shubman Gill |
| 2023-2025 | 5.3 | Ruturaj Gaikwad |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has hit the most fours in IPL history?
Yashasvi Jaiswal holds the all-time IPL record with 713 fours across 222 matches. He is followed by Virat Kohli (701) and Rohit Sharma (671).
What is the most fours hit in a single IPL innings?
Multiple players have struck 13 fours in one innings in IPL history. Kohli's 2016 season included multiple innings with 10+ fours.
Which IPL team has hit the most fours in a single innings?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's 263/5 against Pune Warriors in 2013 included 22 fours and 17 sixes from Gayle's innings alone.
Has four-hitting frequency changed over IPL history?
Yes. The proportion of sixes relative to fours has increased since 2019 as T20 batting evolved toward more aggressive, lofted stroke-play.
Does batting position affect four-hitting records?
Significantly. Openers dominate the all-time records because they face the most deliveries with powerplay fielding restrictions — conditions most conducive to timing-based boundary hitting.