Most Sixes in ODI Cricket: Top 15 Batters of All Time

A six can change the direction of an ODI match in seconds. Whether an opener attacks the new ball or a finisher clears the boundary in the final overs, power-hitting remains an important part of One Day International cricket. Over the years, several batters have set remarkable records through their ability to hit the ball over the ropes consistently.

The most sixes in ODI history belong to India’s Rohit Sharma, who has hit 381 sixes according to the latest career statistics available for this article. Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi follows with 351, while West Indies legend Chris Gayle occupies third place with 331. These figures highlight the achievements of batters who have left a lasting mark on the 50-over format.

This article covers the top 15 ODI six-hitters, their career achievements, the record for sixes in a single innings, the highest team total for sixes and the leading performers in Cricket World Cup history.

Most Sixes in ODI History: Top 15 Players

The all-time ODI sixes leaderboard features players from India, Pakistan, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.  The following table presents the career figures supplied for this article, with the active players’ totals subject to change.

What Makes the Leading ODI Six-Hitters Stand Out?

1. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma is the only batter to have scored three double centuries in men’s ODI cricket. His 264 against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens in 2014 remains the format’s highest individual score. He also struck 33 fours in that innings, showcasing his ability to combine boundary placement with power hitting.

2. Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi made his international debut as a teenager and became known for his fearless approach to batting. He scored an ODI century off just 37 balls against Sri Lanka in 1996, setting a record for the fastest ODI hundred at the time. His leg-spin also provided Pakistan with an important bowling option.

3. Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle became the first batter to score a double century in a men’s Cricket World Cup match. He made 215 against Zimbabwe in 2015, facing 147 balls and hitting 16 sixes. The innings highlighted his ability to maintain an aggressive scoring rate while batting for an extended period.

4. Sanath Jayasuriya

Sanath Jayasuriya played a major role in Sri Lanka’s attacking approach during the 1996 World Cup. Opening alongside Romesh Kaluwitharana, he targeted bowlers during the early overs and helped change how teams approached the first 15 overs of an ODI. He later became one of Sri Lanka’s most successful all-rounders.

5. MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni’s defining strength was his ability to manage pressure during run chases. In the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka, he promoted himself ahead of Yuvraj Singh and scored an unbeaten 91. His six to finish the match at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium remains one of the most memorable moments in Indian cricket.

6. Eoin Morgan

Eoin Morgan’s 148 against Afghanistan in the 2019 World Cup remains the benchmark for six-hitting in a men’s ODI innings. He reached his century in just 57 balls and finished with 17 sixes. As England captain, he also helped establish the attacking strategy that led the team to its first men’s ODI World Cup title that year.

7. AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers demonstrated extraordinary scoring speed against the West Indies in January 2015. He scored 149 from 44 balls, reaching his century in just 31 deliveries, then the fastest hundred in men’s ODI cricket. His ability to play unconventional shots made him particularly difficult to contain in the closing overs.

8. Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum captained New Zealand to the 2015 World Cup final, where the team finished as runner-up to Australia. His aggressive leadership and willingness to attack from the start influenced New Zealand’s limited-overs approach. He was also known for quick starts that gave the middle order a strong platform.

9. Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar became the first batter to score a double century in men’s ODI cricket when he made an unbeaten 200 against South Africa in February 2010. He reached the milestone after decades of international cricket, combining controlled stroke play with the ability to accelerate late in an innings.

10. Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler played a central role in England’s record-breaking 498/4 against the Netherlands in June 2022. He scored an unbeaten 162 from 70 balls, striking 14 sixes. His innings formed part of a remarkable team performance in which England became the first side to reach 26 sixes in a men’s ODI innings.

11. Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly captained India to the 2003 World Cup final and helped develop a more assertive team culture. His left-handed batting was especially effective through the off side, while his leadership encouraged India to compete confidently against leading overseas teams.

12. Martin Guptill

Martin Guptill scored an unbeaten 237 against the West Indies in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final in Wellington. His innings included 24 fours and 11 sixes, making him the highest individual scorer in a men’s World Cup knockout match at the time.

13. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is known for his exceptional record in ODI run chases. His approach combines partnership-building, quick running and precise boundary placement. He has repeatedly shown that sustained scoring pressure can be just as important as hitting sixes when pursuing a target.

14. Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting captained Australia to consecutive men’s ODI World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007. His aggressive batting, particularly against short-pitched deliveries, complemented his leadership during one of Australia’s most successful periods in international cricket.

15. Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell scored an unbeaten 201 against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup, helping Australia recover from 91/7 to chase a target of 292. He struck 10 sixes in the innings and battled severe cramps, making the performance one of the tournament’s most memorable individual efforts.

15. Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh was named Player of the Tournament at the 2011 World Cup. He scored 362 runs and took 15 wickets during India’s title-winning campaign, making a major contribution with both bat and ball. His performances demonstrated the value of an all-rounder in a major ODI tournament.

Most Sixes in a Single ODI Innings

Eoin Morgan holds the men’s ODI record with 17 sixes. He achieved the feat against Afghanistan at Old Trafford, Manchester, on June 18, 2019, scoring 148 runs from 71 balls.

Before Morgan’s performance, Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle shared the record with 16 sixes each. Morgan moved the benchmark to 17 during his World Cup innings.

These records highlight the impact of a batter who can maintain an aggressive scoring rate over a full innings. They also show how the same player can combine boundary-hitting with a substantial individual score.

Most Sixes by a Team in an ODI Innings

England hold the men’s ODI record for the most sixes by a team in one innings, with 26 against the Netherlands on June 17, 2022. England scored 498/4 at Amstelveen, setting a record total at the time. Jos Buttler contributed 14 sixes in an unbeaten 162 from 70 balls. Phil Salt and Dawid Malan also hit three sixes each, while Liam Livingstone struck six in his unbeaten 66 from just 22 balls.

England had previously hit 25 sixes against Afghanistan during the 2019 Cricket World Cup. The Netherlands match surpassed that mark, demonstrating the impact of several batters contributing to the same attacking innings.

Team sixes are different from individual career records. They depend on the contributions of the entire batting lineup, the conditions and the number of scoring opportunities available throughout the innings.

Most Sixes in ODI World Cup History

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup has produced some of the most memorable power-hitting performances in one-day cricket. Its all-time sixes leaderboard differs from the overall ODI rankings because it includes only matches played in the World Cup. The following figures cover the men’s ODI World Cups through the 2023 edition.

Rohit Sharma leads this list with 54 sixes across three World Cup editions: 2015, 2019 and 2023. Chris Gayle follows with 49, while Glenn Maxwell ranks third with 43.

The 2023 tournament was particularly productive for Rohit, who hit 31 sixes in 11 innings. David Warner and Shreyas Iyer each struck 24 sixes in that edition, while Daryl Mitchell and Maxwell hit 22 apiece.

These figures illustrate why tournament records should be treated separately from overall ODI career totals. A player who has appeared in several World Cups may accumulate a different total from someone whose strongest six-hitting performances came in bilateral series.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Who has hit the most sixes in ODI cricket?

Rohit Sharma leads the supplied career leaderboard with 381 sixes, followed by Shahid Afridi with 351 and Chris Gayle with 331.

Q2. Who has hit the most sixes in a single ODI innings?

Eoin Morgan holds the men’s ODI record with 17 sixes. He achieved this against Afghanistan in the 2019 Cricket World Cup, scoring 148 runs from 71 balls.

Q3. Which team has hit the most sixes in an ODI innings?

England hold the men’s ODI record with 26 sixes against the Netherlands in June 2022. England scored 498/4 in that match.

Q4. Who has hit the most sixes in ODI World Cup history?

Rohit Sharma leads the men’s ODI World Cup list with 54 sixes through the 2023 edition, followed by Chris Gayle with 49.

Q5. How many sixes did Chris Gayle hit in ODI cricket?

Chris Gayle hit 331 ODI sixes according to the career statistics used in this article. He also scored 25 ODI centuries for the West Indies.

Wrapping Up

The most sixes in ODI leaderboard features some of the greatest batters in the history of the 50-over format. Rohit Sharma leads the supplied career rankings with 381 sixes, followed by Shahid Afridi and Chris Gayle. Their achievements reflect different batting styles, international careers and approaches to scoring runs.

The individual and team records offer further insight into ODI power-hitting. Eoin Morgan’s 17 sixes against Afghanistan remain the men’s ODI innings record, while England’s 26 sixes against the Netherlands stand as the team record. In World Cup cricket, Rohit Sharma leads the all-time list with 54 sixes through the 2023 edition.

For readers comparing career achievements, innings records and tournament performances, keeping these categories separate provides a clearer picture of each player’s contribution to ODI cricket.

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