One of the most thrilling moments in cricket is when the batsman smashes the ball into the air and sends it flying over the ropes at the sides of the field. Six-hitting requires guts, strength, and precision to clear the boundary fence; therefore, it is one of the most coveted skills in ODIs. Over the years, we have seen most of the game’s most powerful hitters, men whose reputations were built on clearing the ropes, season after season.
In this detailed article, we’ll have a look at the Top 10 Most Sixes in ODI cricket. These players have not only left an impact on the game but have also set benchmarks for future cricketers to aspire to. From towering sixes to game-changing knocks, these batsmen have earned their place among the legends of the sport.
Top 20 Players with the Most Sixes in ODI History
| Player | Team | Span | Mat | Inns | NO | HS | Ave | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 1996-2015 | 398 | 369 | 27 | 124 | 23.57 | 351 |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 2007-2024 | 265 | 257 | 36 | 264 | 49.16 | 331 |
| Chris Gayle | West Indies | 1999-2019 | 301 | 294 | 17 | 215 | 37.83 | 331 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 1989-2011 | 445 | 433 | 18 | 189 | 32.36 | 270 |
| Mahendra Singh Dhoni | India | 2004-2019 | 350 | 297 | 84 | 183* | 50.57 | 229 |
| Eoin Morgan | England | 2006-2022 | 248 | 230 | 34 | 148 | 39.29 | 220 |
| AB de Villiers | South Africa | 2005-2018 | 228 | 218 | 39 | 176 | 53.5 | 204 |
| Brendon McCullum | New Zealand | 2002-2016 | 260 | 228 | 28 | 166 | 30.41 | 200 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 1989-2012 | 463 | 452 | 41 | 200* | 44.83 | 195 |
| Sourav Ganguly | India | 1992-2007 | 311 | 300 | 23 | 183 | 41.02 | 190 |
| Martin Guptill | New Zealand | 2009-2022 | 198 | 195 | 19 | 237* | 41.73 | 187 |
| Josh Buttler | England | 2012-2023 | 181 | 154 | 27 | 162* | 39.54 | 170 |
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | 1995-2012 | 375 | 365 | 39 | 164 | 42.03 | 162 |
| Yuvraj Singh | India | 2000-2017 | 304 | 278 | 40 | 150 | 36.55 | 155 |
| Chris Cairns | New Zealand | 1991-2006 | 215 | 193 | 25 | 115 | 29.46 | 153 |
| Glenn Maxwell | Australia | 2012-2024 | 139 | 128 | 17 | 201* | 35.15 | 151 |
| Virat Kohli | India | 2008-2024 | 295 | 283 | 44 | 183 | 58.18 | 151 |
| Adam Gilchrist | Australia | 1996-2008 | 287 | 279 | 11 | 172 | 35.89 | 149 |
| Ross Taylor | New Zealand | 2006-2022 | 236 | 220 | 39 | 181* | 47.55 | 147 |
| Inzamam-UL-Haq | Pakistan | 1991-2007 | 378 | 350 | 53 | 137* | 39.52 | 144 |
Most Sixes in ODI :Top 10 Players
1. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
Sixes: 351
Matches: 398
When it comes to the most sixes in ODI, no conversation can begin without mentioning Shahid “Boom Boom” Afridi. Known for his aggressive style of play, Afridi revolutionized the role of an all-rounder, particularly with his destructive batting. Afridi’s explosive hitting earned him the nickname “Boom Boom”.
Strengths:
- Exceptional strength, particularly against spin.
- Fearless batting approach, willing to hit big even under pressure.
2. Rohit Sharma (India)
Sixes: 331
Matches: 301
Combining timing with muscle, very few do with such perfection, also Rohit Sharma known as “Hitman” has his style. Of course, Rohit can go hammer and tongs and crash sixes with all the brute strength that he carries. This tall batsman has impeccable timing. His style makes six-hitting a cakewalk, and his ability to accelerate at will makes him one of the most dangerous ODI batsmen of the modern era.
Strengths:
- Precision and timing are key over force.
- Lofted shots to long-on and long-off, mastered.
3. Chris Gayle (West Indies)
Sixes: 331
Matches: 265
“Universe Boss” Chris Gayle, has smashed 331 sixes in ODIs. Gayle is a physical presence of immense power and hitting sixes comes naturally to him. Gayle is the only player who can effortlessly clear any boundary based purely on strength. He breaks the ball and covers long distances while hitting it – making him a destructive opener in world cricket.
Strengths:
- Raw power gives him an easy pass through the boundary.
- Ability to overpower both pacers and spinners.
4. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
Sixes: 270
Matches: 445
Sanath Jayasuriya was the first of the powerhouse hitters in ODI cricket. Most of Sri Lanka’s success in the 1990s came from his six-hitting prowess, as he fearlessly used field restrictions at the beginning of the innings and successfully redefined the role of the opener in ODI cricket.
Strengths:
- No fear attitude, especially in the power plays.
- Proficiency against both pace and spin.
5. MS Dhoni (India)
Sixes: 229
Matches: 350
MS Dhoni is well-known for his calm personality, sharp cricketing brain, and incredible capability of hitting tremendous sixes, especially during the final overs. MS Dhoni also known as “Captain Cool” Dhoni was one of the best finishers in ODI history, and his sixes used to change the match in any direction. He had a signature shot, the helicopter shot, that allowed him to send yorkers flying for six.
Strengths:
- Complete games with big sixes in high-pressure situations.
6. Eoin Morgan (England)
Sixes: 220
Matches: 248
England’s World Cup-winning captain, Eoin Morgan changed the face of limited-over cricket, displaying an aggressive mindset and fearlessness behind the bat. The ability to give sixes was a big threat from a middle-order batsman, and Morgan had very successfully demonstrated this with 220 sixes in ODIs across his career for both England and Ireland.
Strengths:
- Ability to hit sixes against both pacers and spinners.
- He is the leader who started the aggressive approach of England towards ODI cricket.
7. AB de Villiers (South Africa)
Sixes: 204
Matches: 228
Few players have put together sheer innovation and power in the game like AB de Villiers. Nicknamed “Mr. 360” for his ability to hit the ball all around the ground, de Villiers was a maestro of six-hitting, generally switching between orthodox and unorthodox shots to leave the bowlers all baffled. His sheer versatility at the crease made him one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world.
Strengths:
- Innovative shot-making, hitting sixes in any area.
- The ability to play elegant as well as unplayable cricket equally.
8. Brendon McCullum (New Zealand)
Sixes: 200
Matches: 260
Brendon McCullum was one of the most explosive cricketers New Zealand ever produced, one who embodied the very quality that suited bravado, clearing the boundary with such ease. His 200 sixes in 260 ODIs make McCullum a cornerstone of the rise of New Zealand cricket in world cricket. Be it opening the innings or batting down the lower order, McCullum has always been looking for a moment to grasp the bowlers.
Strengths:
- Aggressive from the start.
9. Sachin Tendulkar (India)
Sixes: 195
Matches: 463
The God of Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, is famous for his technical prowess and unmatched consistency, but he also knew how to hit sixes. Tendulkar’s 195 sixes in 463 ODIs reflect his ability to shift gears effortlessly during an innings. While Tendulkar was not a regular six-hitter, his sixes were often precise and came at crucial moments.
Strengths:
- Technical efficiency, which enabled him to time his sixes well.
- Ability to play hard-hitting or watch cricket as per the situation.
10. Sourav Ganguly (India)
Sixes: 195
Matches: 311
Sourav Ganguly, also known as “Dada” was a graceful yet powerful batsman, especially against spin. Ganguly’s 190 sixes in 311 ODIs were typically lofted drives or powerful cuts, and he was especially dominant when spinners came into the attack. His ability to hit sixes off the front foot made him a force to be reckoned with in the middle overs.
Strengths:
- Generally over the spinners, especially with flying shots over long-off and long-on.
Read More: Fastest Fifty in ODI || Highest Individual Score in ODI
Top 5 Indian Players with the Most Sixes in ODI
| Player | Span | Mat | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 2007-2024 | 301 | 331 |
| MS Dhoni | 2004-2019 | 350 | 229 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 1989-2012 | 463 | 195 |
| Sourav Ganguly | 1992-2007 | 311 | 190 |
| Yuvraj Singh | 2000-2017 | 304 | 155 |
Also Read: Most Sixes in T20 || Most Sixes in Test
