IPL 2025: Pat Cummins Equals MS Dhoni's Last Season's Feat; Joins Elite Six-Hitting List

Pat Cummins joined an exclusive club of power hitters in India Premier League (IPL) history when he smashed his first three balls for sixes during Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2025 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Thursday night. (Match Highlights | Schedule | Teams | Points Table)

Below is a list of players who smashed the first three balls of their innings for sixes in the IPL.

Pat Cummins vs Lucknow Super Giants (2025)

Walking in at the end of the 16th over with SRH at 156 for 6, Cummins wasted no time. He launched back-to-back sixes off Shardul Thakur—first cutting a short ball over point and then sending a full toss sailing over the sightscreen. Facing Avesh Khan in the next over, he continued his blitz, hammering a length ball straight down the ground for his third consecutive six. His cameo ended the next ball, but his four-ball 18 left a lasting impact.

MS Dhoni vs Mumbai Indians (2024)

Cummins' feat echoes similar displays of explosive hitting in IPL history. One of the most memorable instances came in IPL 2024, when MS Dhoni turned back the clock against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede. With just four balls left, Dhoni sent the stadium into a frenzy, smashing Hardik Pandya for three straight sixes—over long-off, long-on, and deep square-leg. His unbeaten 20 off four balls sealed Chennai Super Kings’ victory by the exact margin.

Nicholas Pooran vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (2023)

Nicholas Pooran also joined this elite list in IPL 2023, when he walked in for Lucknow Super Giants needing 56 off 27 against SRH. Undeterred, he immediately took on Abhishek Sharma, slog-sweeping his first ball over midwicket. The next two deliveries suffered the same fate—one blasted straight back over the bowler’s head, the other sent soaring over deep midwicket. LSG ultimately chased down the target, thanks to Pooran’s fearless strokeplay.

Sunil Narine vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2021)

Sunil Narine showcased similar fireworks in the IPL 2021 eliminator, taking on Dan Christian as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) chased 139 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). With KKR needing 60 off 54, Narine walked in and promptly smashed three successive sixes—one over fine leg, another over midwicket, and a third with a one-handed loft over long-off. His 15-ball 26, coupled with his four-wicket haul, ended Virat Kohli’s captaincy era at RCB.