Cricket in Numbers: Find Out the Two IPL Batters Who Batted Over an Hour Without a Boundary
Only 2 players in IPL history have spent more than an hour at the crease without finding a single boundary against Sunrisers Hyderabad. In 2017, Steve Smith battled through a long stay without a four or six. Now in 2026, Ruturaj Gaikwad joined that rare list with a similar innings.
In the IPL’s long history, only 2 batters have spent more than an hour at the crease without hitting a single boundary: Steve Smith and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Here’s a look at those rare innings.
Steven Smith vs SRH in 2017
In the IPL, very few batters have managed to survive for a long period without finding the ropes, but Steve Smith produced one such rare innings against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2017. Playing for Rising Pune Supergiant in Hyderabad, Smith scored 34 runs from 39 balls in a slow, testing knock. What made the innings unusual was the fact that he did not hit a single four or six despite batting for 65 minutes at the crease.
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium surface assisted the bowlers, and SRH’s attack, led by Rashid Khan, Siddarth Kaul, and Bipul Sharma, kept things tight throughout the innings. Smith focused more on strike rotation and partnerships instead of attacking shots. His 50-run stand with Ben Stokes helped Pune recover after early wickets and reach 148/8 in 20 overs. Although the strike rate of 87.17 looked modest, the innings still played a valuable role in Pune’s 12-run victory. Jaydev Unadkat later sealed the win with a stunning 5-wicket haul and a final over hat trick.
Ruturaj Gaikwad vs SRH in 2026
In the IPL, Ruturaj Gaikwad joined a unique and unwanted list during the Chennai Super Kings clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2026 season. Batting at Chepauk, Gaikwad managed only 15 runs from 21 balls and stayed at the crease for around 65 minutes without hitting a single boundary. Unlike the aggressive starts usually seen in T20 cricket, Gaikwad struggled to time the ball on a difficult Chennai surface.
SRH bowlers Pat Cummins, Eshan Malinga, and Sakib Hussain bowled disciplined lines and never allowed him any freedom. Even though CSK crossed 180 runs, Gaikwad’s innings stood out because of the lack of attacking strokes. The CSK captain finally fell to Cummins in the 12th over after consuming valuable deliveries. His strike rate of 71.42 was among the slowest for a top-order batter this season. The match eventually went SRH’s way as Ishan Kishan’s brilliant 70 guided the visitors to a 5-wicket win with an over remaining.
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