Hitting sixes is one of the most thrilling elements of cricket, showcasing a player’s power, confidence, timing, and overall batting prowess. Rohit Sharma holds the crown as the king of sixes, having hit the most sixes in cricket history.
Cricket, the world’s most popular sport, features various tournaments designed to entertain fans, including T20, ODI, Test matches, and the IPL. Few moments in the game match the excitement of a six soaring over the boundary. Whether in the long, strategic Test matches or the rapid-fire action of T20 games, the ability to hit sixes is a standout skill.
Today, we celebrate the players who have become legends by hitting the most sixes in cricket history. Let’s dive into the list of cricketers who have excelled in hitting sixes across all formats of international cricket, including T20, ODI, and Test matches.
Overview Table of Players with Most Sixes in Cricket History:
Most Sixes In All Format Combined
In international cricket, combining all Test, ODI, and T20 formats, the below players have made their mark by hitting the most sixes:
- Rohit Sharma
- Total Sixes: 597(84+323+190)
- Team: India
- Matches: 472
- Chris Gayle
- Total Sixes: 553(98+331+124)
- Team: West Indies
- Matches: 483
- Shahid Afridi
- Total Sixes: 476(52+351+73)
- Team: Pakistan
- Matches: 524
- Brendon McCullum
- Total Sixes: 398(107+200+91)
- Team: New Zealand
- Matches: 432
- Martin Guptill
- Total Sixes: 383(23+187+173)
- Team: New Zealand
- Matches: 367
- MS Dhoni
- Total Sixes: 359(78+229+52)
- Team: India
- Matches: 538
- Sanath Jayasuriya
- Total Sixes: 352(59+270+23)
- Team: Sri Lanka
- Matches: 586
- Eoin Morgan
- Total Sixes: 346(6+220+120)
- Team: England
- Matches: 379
- AB de Villiers
- Total Sixes: 328(64+204+60)
- Team: South Africa
- Matches: 420
- Jos Buttler
- Total Sixes: 326(33+170+123)
- Team: England
- Matches: 344
Most Sixes In T20 International Cricket
T20 cricket is the shortest official format, with each team playing a maximum of 20 overs to score as much as possible. Designed for entertainment, T20 matches last around 3 hours and emphasize aggressive batting, innovative shots, and high scoring. Bowlers focus on containing runs and taking wickets quickly. In T20 International Cricket, the following players have hit the most sixes:
- Shahid Afridi
- Team: Pakistan
- Matches: 398
- ODI Sixes: 351
- Chris Gayle
- Team: West Indies
- Matches: 301
- ODI Sixes: 331
- Rohit Sharma
- Team: India
- Matches: 262
- ODI Sixes: 323
- Sanath Jayasuriya
- Team: Sri Lanka
- Matches: 445
- ODI Sixes: 270
- MS Dhoni
- Team: India
- Matches: 350
- ODI Sixes: 229
- Eoin Morgan
- Team: England
- Matches: 248
- ODI Sixes: 220
- AB de Villiers
- Team: South Africa
- Matches: 228
- ODI Sixes: 204
- Brendon McCullum
- Team: New Zealand
- Matches: 260
- ODI Sixes: 200
- Sachin Tendulkar
- Team: India
- Matches: 463
- ODI Sixes: 195
- Saurav Ganguly
- Team: India
- Matches: 311
- ODI Sixes: 190
Most Sixes In One Day International Cricket (ODIs)
ODI cricket, or One Day International cricket, is a limited-overs format typically consisting of 50 overs per side. Each team plays a set number of overs, aiming to complete the match within a single day, hence the name “one-day cricket.” Matches usually last 7-8 hours, with each team having one inning to score as many runs as possible within the 50 overs. ODIs strike a balance between strategic play and aggressive batting, making them thrilling for spectators. Here are the players who have hit the most sixes in ODI cricket matches:
- Rohit Sharma
- Team: India
- Matches: 151
- T20 Sixes: 190
- Martin Guptill
- Team: New Zealand
- Matches: 122
- T20 Sixes: 173
- Glenn Maxwell
- Team: Australia
- Matches: 106
- T20 Sixes: 127
- Aaron Finch
- Team: Australia
- Matches: 103
- T20 Sixes: 125
- Chris Gayle
- Team: West Indies
- Matches: 79
- T20 Sixes: 124
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Team: India
- Matches: 60
- T20 Sixes: 123
- Jos Buttler
- Team: England
- Matches: 114
- T20 Sixes: 123
- Paul Stirling
- Team: Ireland
- Matches: 134
- T20 Sixes: 123
- Eoin Morgan
- Team: England
- Matches: 115
- T20 Sixes: 120
- Virat Kohli
- Team: India
- Matches: 117
- T20 Sixes: 117
Most Sixes In One Day International Cricket (ODIs)
Test matches represent the oldest and most traditional form of cricket, played over five days with each team having two innings. This format rigorously tests players’ skills, endurance, and mental toughness. Each day is divided into three sessions, and the primary objective is to score more runs than the opponent. Success in Test matches requires strategic planning and adaptability to changing conditions over the extended play period. Despite its reputation for a slower, more strategic game, Test cricket has seen players achieve remarkable feats, including hitting numerous sixes. Here are the players who have hit the most sixes in Test matches:
- Ben Stokes
- Team: England
- Matches: 102
- Test sixes: 128
- Brendon McCullum
- Team: New Zealand
- Matches: 101
- Test sixes: 107
- Adam Gilchrist
- Team: Australia
- Matches: 96
- Test sixes: 100
- Chris Gayle
- Team: West Indies
- Matches: 103
- Test sixes: 98
- Jacques Kallis
- Team: South Africa
- Matches: 166
- Test sixes: 97
- Virender Sehwag
- Team: India
- Matches: 104
- Test sixes: 91
- Tim Southee
- Team: New Zealand
- Matches: 100
- Test sixes: 88
- Brian Lara
- Team: West Indies
- Matches: 131
- Test sixes: 88
- Chris Cairns
- Team: New Zealand
- Matches: 62
- Test sixes: 87
- Angelo Matthews
- Team: Sri Lanka
- Matches: 107
- Test sixes: 85