Punjab Kings talisman batsman Chris Gayle has become the first player in the IPL history to smash 350 sixes in the tournament.

Gayle achieved the milestone while playing against Rajasthan Royals in the fourth match of IPL 2021 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday.

The Universe Boss reached the glorious feat when he smashed Ben Stokes over the mid-wicket boundary for his first six of the season. The southpaw scored a fine knock of 40 runs off 28 balls, with the help of four fours and two sixes.

In fact, Gayle failed to time the ball in the initial phase of his innings but soon found his touch after playing a few deliveries. However, Gayle was dismissed when he tried to hit Riyan Parag over the long-on boundary but holed out to Ben Stokes, who took a fine running catch.

Meanwhile, AB de Villiers is second on the list of most sixes in the IPL as the RCB talisman has scored 237 maximums in his IPL career. CSK captain MS Dhoni is in third place with 216 maximums to his name. MI skipper Rohit Sharma is at the fourth place with 214 sixes whereas RCB skipper Virat Kohli has cleared the ropes on 201 occasions in the lucrative Twenty20 tournament.

On the other hand, Deccan Chargers captain Adam Gilchrist was the first player to score 50 sixes in the IPL and since then Gayle has been the first to get to 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, and 350 sixes.

Meanwhile, Punjab Kings posted an above par score of 221 runs after Sanju Samson won the toss and decided to bowl first. Punjab Kings skipper KL Rahul a fine knock of 91 runs off just 50 balls with the help of seven fours and five sixes.

Deepak Hooda, who was backed ahead of Nicholas Pooran in the batting order, grabbed his opportunity with both hands as he smashed 64 runs from only 28 balls and batted in the top gear throughout his innings.