Top 10 Players with the Most Sixes in ODI Cricket History

by Tejas Rathi
Rohit Sharma - most sixes in ODI and most sixes in international cricket

Whether it be ODIs, Tests or the T20Is, an art of six-hitting is often lauded by the fans and the cricket fraternity. There are certain parameters which should be in proper order for the batter to send the ball over the fences. With a focus on most sixes in ODI, we will also take a look at overall records in this piece as well. However, let’s first understand the technicality behind hitting a six.

Most importantly, a stable stance and backlift are a necessity while the batter has an intent of hitting sixes. Then, with a combination of a good bat speed and timing, he/she has fulfilled all the criteria to slam a six at every corner of the ground.

The above parameters also become crucial when the bowlers try to outsmart the batters with their variations. If the batter is ready for a bouncer, he needs to transfer his weight smoothly to clear the boundary off a fuller ball. To ace the challenge, the power-hitting drills need to be taken up by the batters in the net practice sessions.

On that note, let’s delve into the detail about the most sixes in ODI cricket history, the most sixes in international cricket as well as the biggest sixes in cricket history.

Who has hit most sixes in ODI international cricket?

1) Shahid Afridi – 351

Shahid Afridi has the most sixes in ODIs
Shahid Afridi has the most sixes in ODIs

The former Pakistan batter and captain, Shahid Afridi has the highest number of sixes in the ODI format. Playing for the Men in Green from 1997 to 2015, Afridi garnered 8,064 runs in 398 games. During this time, he hit 351 sixes and was known as a tormentor who gave punishment to the bowlers for missing their lengths.

2) Rohit Sharma – 331

Indian ODI captain Rohit Sharma stands second on the list of most sixes in ODI cricket with 331 maximums. In 265 games, he has amassed 10,866 runs at an average of 49.16, with 31 tons.

With the Champions Trophy and 2027 World Cup on the horizon, he is likely to break Shahid Afridi’s record to top the ODI sixes list. He has a credible record in ODI World Cups, scoring 1,575 runs at an average of 60.57, while emerging as the top batter in the 2019 World Cup.

3) Chris Gayle – 331

‘Universe Boss’ has also hit 331 sixes during his 301-game storied ODI career, which spanned from 1999-2019. With an ability to clear the fences at ease, Chris Gayle garnered 10,480 runs at an average of 37.83 for the Caribbean team.

4) Sanath Jayasuriya – 270

The legendary Sri Lankan batter, Sanath Jayasuriya had a sensational ODI career, where he scored 13,430 runs in 445 appearances at an average of 32.36, with 28 centuries. He hit 270 maximums and gave a fabulous start to his side in the powerplay overs.

5) MS Dhoni – 229

The former Indian captain, MS Dhoni is fifth on the list of most sixes in ODI international cricket. ‘Captain Cool’ hit 229 sixes in 350 games, while slamming 10,773 runs and scoring 10 centuries. He led India to T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup and Champions Trophy glories during his career.

Who has hit most sixes in international cricket?

1) Rohit Sharma – 624

Rohit Sharma is the undisputed king with the most sixes in international cricket. ‘Hitman’ has slammed 624 sixes during his 491 games across all formats, while scoring 19,398 runs and hitting 48 hundreds. Meanwhile, Sharma holds the record of hitting most sixes in T20s (205) and has 88 maximums in the longest format.

2) Chris Gayle – 553

Chris Gayle ranks third in most sixes in ODI and second overall
Chris Gayle ranks third in most sixes in ODI and second overall

The former West Indies batter, Chris Gayle used the strength in his muscles to its full effect to hit 553 sixes in international cricket. Gayle featured in 483 games and accumulated 19,593 runs, with 42 hundreds.

3) Shahid Afridi – 476

The flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi is third on the list of most international sixes across all formats. He appeared in 524 games, and scored 1,196 runs, while hitting 476 sixes. He ended as the fourth-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan with 538 wickets.

4) Brendon McCullum – 398

Brendon McCullum hit 398 sixes and is fourth on this coveted list. In 432 games, he slammed 14,676 runs, with 19 centuries. Interestingly, the former Kiwi batter has hit the maximum sixes in test (107) among the players in the list with five most sixes in international cricket. Currently, he is the all-format coach of the England team.

5) Martin Guptill – 383

The swashbuckling batter, Martin Guptill recently announced his retirement from international cricket. He accumulated 14,676 runs in 432 games, with 383 sixes to his name and ranks fifth on the list.

5 Biggest sixes in cricket history

1) Shahid Afridi – 153m

Shahid Afridi has recorded the longest six in cricket history that went as far as 153m. It all happened during the game between Pakistan and South Africa in Johannesburg in March 2013. Afridi hit a big six against Ryan McLaren, which went out of the ground, and went on to slam 88 off 48 balls. However, the side lost by 34 runs while chasing the target of 344.

2) Brett Lee – 143m

The ferocious fast bowler was also handy with the bat for Australia in international cricket. His 143m hit ranks second among the biggest six in cricket history. Lee achieved the record during the Test fixture against West Indies in November 2005 in Gabba. Interestingly, it is the longest six recorded in the longest format.

3) Martin Guptill – 127m

The hard-hitting New Zealand batter was sensational with his timing and backlift to send the balls far away in the stands. He flexed his muscle to hit a 127m six against South Africa’s Lonwabo Tsotsobe in Wellington in February 2012. Guptill remained unbeaten on 78 off 55 to help the team in chasing down 148 successfully.

4) Liam Livingstone – 122m

Liam Livingstone went full throttle against Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf in Headingley in July 2021. His ferocious hit resulted in the ball going out of the stadium, and the RADAR gun showed the distance of 122m.

5) Mark Waugh – 120m

The junior of the Waugh brothers, launched an assault against New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori during the Perth Test in 1997. Mark Waugh came down the track and smacked the ball to the long-on region, as it landed on the roof of the stands.

How six-hitting prowess shaped modern ODI cricket?

Sachin Tendulkar ranks ninth in most sixes in ODI
Sachin Tendulkar ranks ninth in most sixes in ODI

In the late 90s, Sachin Tendulkar unleashed his finest performances in terms of six-hitting in the 50-over format. His aggressive strokeplay in the Sharjah Cup 1998 fueled the younger generation to dream of winning games for the country with their natural game.

Although, Tendulkar ranks ninth on the most sixes in ODI with 195 maximums, he set the standard for the openers on how to approach a big target. He certainly served as a bridge between classical batting and the power-hitting era, which revolutionalized modern ODI cricket.

Thereafter, the players opted to push their boundaries instead of being reliant only on precision and placement. The likes of Rohit Sharma, Chris Gayle and Shahid Afridi were some of the players who had an opportunity to learn from Tendulkar and ended up among the players with the most sixes in international cricket. On that note, let’s take a look at how these players have contributed to evolution of aggressive batting in ODI cricket.

Higher scores and Entertainment Quotient: As time has passed, the players’ ability to hit sixes has also increased, which has increased the frequency of high-scoring games. Nowadays, no score is deemed to be safe enough, if the opposition has hard-hitters in their XI.

Moroever, the innovation and six-hitting abilities have drawn large crowds as cricket has turned into a spectacle, thereby increasing the entertainment value.

Change in batting strategy: Now, the batters have become more calculative regarding the use of long handles for hitting most sixes in ODI cricket. They like to exploit the fielding restrictions in the powerplay, pick bowlers in the middle-overs and dominate bowlers in the death overs.

Shift in Bowlers’ Tactics: With innovation and thick willow, the batters’ game have went up a notch higher. However, the bowlers have also used variations in order to stun the batters and trim down most sixes in international cricket. Since the last decade, the use of yorkers and slower balls have been prevalent.

Need of Power-Hitters: With changing landscape of modern cricket, there is an increased need of players who have the capability to hit most international sixes. The likes of Glenn Maxwell, and Hardik Pandya became famous in the last decade due to this ability.

Influence of T20 Cricket: The rise of numerous franchises leagues has put a direct impact on ODI cricket as well. Chasing big scores, players opt for a boundary-heavy approach and try to etch their names into the history books by hitting the most sixes in ODI cricket.

FAQs on most sixes in ODI

Which Indian player has hit the most sixes in ODI cricket?

Rohit Sharma holds the record for the most sixes by an Indian player in ODI cricket.

The record for the most sixes in ODI cricket is held by Chris Gayle, known for his explosive batting style.

The first six in ODI cricket was hit by Ian Chappell during the inaugural ODI match in 1971.

MS Dhoni was the first Indian player to hit 200 sixes in ODI cricket, showcasing his incredible finishing ability over the years

Rohit Sharma hit the most sixes in a single ODI match for India, smashing 16 sixes during his record-breaking 264-run innings against Sri Lanka in 2014.

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