Top 20+ Players With Most Sixes In ODI Cricket (2025 Updated)

There’s something magical about watching a cricket ball soar into the sky and disappear beyond the boundary rope.

The crowd roars, the commentators scream, and for a moment, time seems to freeze.

That’s the power of a six in cricket—pure, unfiltered excitement that gets everyone on their feet.

In One Day International cricket, hitting sixes has evolved from a rare treat to an essential skill.

Modern batsmen don’t just aim to survive; they aim to dominate.

Every match now features spectacular displays of power-hitting that leave fans speechless and bowlers frustrated.

The players with most sixes in ODI cricket have become legends in their own right.

These aren’t just athletes who happened to hit a few big shots—they’re game-changers who redefined what’s possible with a cricket bat.

They’ve entertained millions, won crucial matches, and inspired countless youngsters to pick up a bat and dream big.

What makes a great six-hitter? Is it raw power? Perfect timing? Fearless mindset? The answer is all of these and more.

The greatest power-hitters combine physical strength with technical excellence, mental toughness with calculated risk-taking.

Over the years, cricket has witnessed some extraordinary talents who’ve made six-hitting an art form.

They’ve played in different eras, faced different challenges, and used different techniques.

Yet they all share one thing in common—the ability to clear the boundary consistently when their team needed it most.

This article explores the champions who’ve mastered this spectacular skill and left an indelible mark on ODI cricket history.

Players With Most Sixes In ODI Cricket

Players With Most Sixes In ODI Cricket

Why Six-Hitting Matters in Modern Cricket?

Six-hitting has become the heartbeat of ODI cricket. Fans jump from their seats when the ball clears the boundary rope.

It’s not just about runs anymore—it’s about momentum, fear factor, and pure entertainment.

Modern ODI cricket demands aggressive batting. Teams now chase 300+ totals regularly.

Power-hitters who can clear the ropes consistently have become match-winners.

They reduce dot balls, increase scoring rates, and put pressure back on bowlers.

The evolution of bats, shorter boundaries, and fearless batting approaches have made six-hitting more common.

But some players stand above the rest with their consistency and power.

Complete List: Players With Most Sixes In ODI Cricket

Here’s the updated table showing cricket’s biggest six-hitters in ODI format:

Rank Player Country Matches Total Sixes Innings Career Span Strike Rate
1 Rohit Sharma India 277 352 269 2007-2025 92.74
2 Shahid Afridi Pakistan 398 351 369 1996-2015 117.00
3 Chris Gayle West Indies 301 331 294 1999-2019 87.19
4 Sanath Jayasuriya Sri Lanka 445 270 433 1989-2011 91.20
5 MS Dhoni India 350 229 297 2004-2019 87.56
6 Eoin Morgan England 248 220 230 2006-2022 91.16
7 AB de Villiers South Africa 228 204 218 2005-2018 101.09
8 Brendon McCullum New Zealand 260 200 228 2002-2016 96.37
9 Sachin Tendulkar India 463 195 452 1989-2012 86.23
10 Sourav Ganguly India 311 190 300 1992-2007 73.70
11 Martin Guptill New Zealand 198 187 195 2009-2022 87.29
12 Jos Buttler England 196 182 169 2012-2025 115.10
13 Ricky Ponting Australia 375 162 365 1995-2012 80.39
14 Virat Kohli India 306 159 294 2008-2025 93.41
15 Glenn Maxwell Australia 149 155 136 2012-2025 126.70
16 Yuvraj Singh India 304 155 278 2000-2017 87.67
17 Chris Cairns New Zealand 215 153 193 1991-2006 84.26
18 Paul Stirling Ireland 170 149 162 2008-2025 87.48
19 Adam Gilchrist Australia 287 149 279 1996-2008 96.94
20 Ross Taylor New Zealand 236 147 220 2006-2022 83.32
21 David Miller South Africa 178 144 154 2010-2025 103.68

This table represents years of explosive batting across different cricket eras. Each player brought their unique style to six-hitting.

Top Six-Hitters: Player Profiles

  • Rohit Sharma – The New King of ODI Sixes

Rohit Sharma broke Shahid Afridi’s record on November 30, 2025, during an ODI against South Africa in Ranchi. He hit three sixes in his innings of 57 runs, taking his total to 352 sixes.

What makes Rohit special is his timing. He doesn’t rely on brute force alone. His pull shots and straight sixes are picture-perfect.

Playing 277 ODIs, he’s maintained consistency while hitting the most sixes in ODI Rohit Sharma has become a household name for power-hitting.

His ability to hit sixes during crucial moments separates him from others. Whether opening the innings or accelerating in death overs, Rohit delivers.

  • Shahid Afridi – Boom Boom’s Legacy

Shahid Afridi held the six-hitting record for 15 years before Rohit broke it. With 351 sixes in 398 matches, Afridi was cricket’s original six-hitting machine.

His strike rate of 117 remains one of the highest in ODI history. Afridi could clear any boundary, anywhere, anytime. His fearless approach changed how people viewed lower-order batting.

Afridi’s fastest ODI century off 37 balls stood for years. He proved that entertainment and effectiveness could coexist.

  • Chris Gayle – The Universe Boss

Chris Gayle’s 331 ODI sixes came with pure entertainment. His highest ODI score of 215 included 16 sixes—showing his ability to dominate single-handedly.

Gayle’s six-hitting wasn’t just about power. He had placement, timing, and an uncanny ability to find gaps. Playing 301 ODIs across two decades, he remained a threat till his last match.

His impact on most sixes in international cricket extends beyond numbers. Gayle inspired a generation of power-hitters.

  • Sanath Jayasuriya – The Original Aggressor

Before modern power-hitting became normal, Sanath Jayasuriya was revolutionizing ODI cricket. His 270 sixes in 445 matches came during an era of slower scoring rates.

Jayasuriya opened the batting and attacked from ball one. His aggressive style in the 1996 World Cup changed ODI strategies forever. Teams realized power plays could be weaponized.

Despite a lower strike rate compared to modern players, Jayasuriya’s impact was monumental. He made six-hitting acceptable and strategic.

  • MS Dhoni – Captain Cool’s Power Game

MS Dhoni’s 229 sixes often came when India needed them most. His helicopter shot became legendary, clearing boundaries with an unconventional technique.

Dhoni batted mostly in the middle and lower order, making his six-hitting numbers even more impressive. He finished matches with sixes, adding drama to countless victories.

His strike rate of 87.56 in 350 ODIs shows consistency. Dhoni proved you don’t need to open the innings to hit the most sixes in ODI international cricket.

  • Eoin Morgan and AB de Villiers – Modern Marvels

Eoin Morgan revolutionized England’s ODI approach. His 220 sixes and aggressive captaincy led England to their 2019 World Cup victory.

AB de Villiers had a strike rate of 101—exceptional for any era. His 204 sixes included some of cricket’s most innovative shots.

De Villiers could hit sixes to any part of the ground, making him unpredictable and unstoppable.

Most Sixes In A Single ODI Match

Some innings stand alone in cricket history. Here are performances where batsmen hit incredible numbers of sixes in just one match:

Player Country Total Runs Balls Faced Sixes Opponent Year
Eoin Morgan England 148 71 17 Afghanistan 2019
Rohit Sharma India 209 158 16 Australia 2013
AB de Villiers South Africa 149 44 16 West Indies 2015
Chris Gayle West Indies 215 147 16 Zimbabwe 2015
Shane Watson Australia 185 96 15 Bangladesh 2011
Jos Buttler England 162 70 14 Netherlands 2022

Eoin Morgan’s record of 17 sixes in a single ODI match against Afghanistan remains untouched. He reached his 148 runs in just 71 balls—pure destruction.

AB de Villiers achieved his 16 sixes in only 44 balls, the fastest among these performances. His 149-run innings is still talked about as one of cricket’s most brutal assaults.

Most Sixes In ODI Rohit Sharma: Complete Breakdown

Rohit Sharma’s journey to becoming the most sixes in ODI Rohit Sharma record that deserves special attention.

Career Milestones:

  • First 100 sixes: 2007-2013 (6 years)
  • Next 100 sixes: 2013-2017 (4 years)
  • Next 100 sixes: 2017-2021 (4 years)
  • Final 52+ sixes: 2021-2025 (4 years)

What Makes Rohit Special:

  • Converts start into big scores regularly
  • Hits sixes during powerplay and death overs equally well
  • Uses his height and reach effectively
  • Maintains calm under pressure

Rohit has hit three ODI double centuries—more than any other player. In these innings, he scored 55 sixes combined, showing his ability to pace long innings.

His strike rate of 92.74 might seem modest compared to modern T20 specialists, but it’s exceptional for someone playing since 2007 across different cricket eras.

Comparing Six-Hitters Across Formats

How do most sixes in ODI international cricket compare with other formats? Here’s an interesting comparison:

Format Leading Six-Hitter Total Sixes Matches Played
ODI Rohit Sharma (India) 352 277
T20I Rohit Sharma (India) 205 164
Test Ben Stokes (England) 126 111

Rohit Sharma leads in both ODI and T20 formats for most sixes in T20 International Cricket and ODI. His ability to clear boundaries across formats is rare.

Chris Gayle holds the record for most sixes in all formats combined, with over 550 international sixes across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

In Test cricket, most sixes in Test International Cricket are led by Ben Stokes with 126 sixes, followed by Brendon McCullum with 107.

Test cricket demands patience, making these numbers remarkable.

Future of Six-Hitting in ODI Cricket

Cricket continues evolving toward aggressive batting. Younger players like Jos Buttler, Glenn Maxwell, and David Miller are changing expectations.

Current Trends:

  • Average team totals are increasing every year
  • More boundaries hit in power plays
  • Bowlers developing variations to counter power-hitting
  • Smaller boundaries in some stadiums

The record for players with the most sixes in ODI cricket will keep changing. New talents from Associate nations like Paul Stirling are making their mark.

Technology also plays a role. Modern bats have bigger sweet spots, helping batsmen generate more power. Fitness levels have improved, allowing players longer careers.

FAQs: Players With Most Sixes In ODI Cricket

  • Q1: Who has hit the most sixes in ODI cricket history?

Rohit Sharma holds the record with 352 ODI sixes, breaking Shahid Afridi’s previous record of 351 in November 2025.

  • Q2: What is the record for most sixes in a single ODI innings?

Eoin Morgan hit 17 sixes against Afghanistan in 2019, which remains the highest number of sixes in one ODI innings.

  • Q3: How many sixes has Chris Gayle hit in ODI cricket?

Chris Gayle has hit 331 sixes in ODI cricket, ranking him third on the all-time list behind Rohit Sharma and Shahid Afridi.

  • Q4: Which Indian player has hit the most ODI sixes?

Rohit Sharma leads all Indian players with 352 ODI sixes, followed by MS Dhoni with 229 sixes.

  • Q5: Who holds the record for most sixes across all cricket formats?

Chris Gayle holds the record for most sixes in all international formats combined, with over 550 sixes across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

Conclusion: The Art of Clearing Boundaries

Six-hitting has transformed from an occasional thrill to a strategic necessity in ODI cricket.

The players with the most sixes in ODI cricket are not just power-hitters – they’re match-winners who changed how cricket is played.

Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking 352 sixes represent consistency and class.

Shahid Afridi’s fearless approach inspired generations. Chris Gayle brought entertainment to every match he played.

As cricket moves forward, we’ll see new records, innovative shots, and even more explosive batting.

But the current list of players with the most sixes in ODI cricket will always be remembered for pioneering aggressive cricket.

These legends proved that clearing the boundary isn’t just about strength—it’s about timing, technique, and mental courage.

They gave fans countless memories and showed that cricket’s most spectacular moments often come when the ball sails into the stands.

The race to hit the most sixes continues, and cricket fans worldwide can’t wait to see who breaks these records next.

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