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

The Complete Rankings: Top 21 ODI Six-Hitters

Here’s the comprehensive table showing every player who’s hit 140+ sixes in ODI cricket:

Key Observations:

• Only three players have crossed 300 ODI sixes
• India dominates with 6 players in the top 21
• Glenn Maxwell has the highest strike rate (126.70) among all
• Jos Buttler’s strike rate of 115.10 shows modern aggressive cricket

Head-to-Head: The Big Three Comparison

Let’s compare the top three players with most sixes in ODI international cricket in detail:

Analysis:

Rohit Sharma stands out with the best sixes-per-match ratio (1.27). He hits more sixes in fewer matches compared to both Afridi and Gayle.

Shahid Afridi played 121 more matches than Rohit but ended with just one six less. His strike rate of 117 remains exceptional, but his average of 23.57 shows he prioritized aggression over consistency.

Chris Gayle’s 215 highest score with 16 sixes in a single innings, demonstrates his dominance on good days. His 331 sixes came with more balance between aggression and accumulation.

Most Sixes In ODI Rohit Sharma: The Record-Breaking Journey

Rohit Sharma’s path to becoming the most sixes in ODI Rohit Sharma record-holder wasn’t instant. It took strategic transformation and consistent excellence.

Rohit’s Six-Hitting Timeline:

The Turning Point:

Rohit’s career changed when India moved him to open the batting in 2013. Before opening, he averaged under 30 with a moderate strike rate. After becoming an opener, everything transformed.

What Makes Rohit Special:

• Three ODI Double Centuries: The Only player ever to achieve this feat
• Combined 55 sixes in these three innings alone
• Consistent across conditions: Performs equally well in India, Australia, and England equally well
• Big match temperament: Saves his best for crucial games

Record-Breaking Moment:

On November 30, 2025, in Ranchi against South Africa, Rohit hit three sixes in his 57-run innings. The crowd knew history was happening.

Each six brought the stadium to life. When he reached 352 total sixes, he’d officially surpassed Afridi’s mark that stood since 2010.

Playing Styles: Understanding Each Legend

Shahid Afridi – The Fearless Entertainer

Batting Position: Lower-middle order (6-7) Signature Shot: Straight six over bowler’s head Philosophy: Attack first, ask questions later

Afridi’s 351 sixes came with a strike rate of 117—extraordinary for someone who played from 1996 to 2015. He never cared about getting out. His job was entertaining fans and scoring quick runs.

Key Stats:

• Fastest ODI century: 37 balls
• Most sixes came between overs 40-50
• Hit sixes against every Test-playing nation

Chris Gayle – Raw Power Personified

Batting Position: Opener Signature Shot: Pulled six over mid-wicket Philosophy: See ball, hit ball

Gayle’s 331 sixes included brutal assaults where he single-handedly demolished bowling attacks. His highest ODI score of 215 with 16 sixes shows his ability to sustain aggression throughout an innings.

Key Stats:

• Most sixes in international cricket across all formats (550+)
• Changed T20 cricket culture globally
• Strike rate maintained even in his late 30s

Sanath Jayasuriya – The Revolutionary

Batting Position: Opener Signature Shot: Inside-out six over cover Philosophy: Attack in powerplay, capitalize on field restrictions

Jayasuriya’s 270 sixes revolutionized opening batting in ODIs. Before him, openers played cautiously. After his explosive 1996 World Cup, everyone copied his approach.

Key Stats:

• Played 445 ODIs (most among top 10)
• Also took 323 wickets as a spinner
• Strike rate of 91.20 was exceptional for his era

MS Dhoni – The Finisher Extraordinaire

Batting Position: Middle order (5-6) Signature Shot: Helicopter six over mid-wicket Philosophy: Calculate risk, finish matches

Dhoni’s 229 sixes mostly came in the final 10 overs. He specialized in taking games deep and finishing with boundaries. The 2011 World Cup final six remains Indian cricket’s most iconic moment.

Key Stats:

• 84 not-outs in 297 innings (incredible finishing ability)
• Strike rate of 87.56 while batting in pressure positions
• Most sixes came chasing targets, not setting them

Eoin Morgan – The Tactical Aggressor

Batting Position: Middle order (4-5) Signature Shot: Reverse sweep six Philosophy: Innovate, don’t just imitate

Morgan’s 220 sixes transformed England from conservative to aggressive. His captaincy philosophy emphasized attacking cricket, leading to their 2019 World Cup victory.

Key Stats:

• Record 17 sixes in a single innings
• Strike rate of 91.16 while often batting in the middle overs
• 148 runs off 71 balls remains one of cricket’s most brutal innings

AB de Villiers – The 360-Degree Genius

Batting Position: Middle order (4-5) Signature Shot: Scoop six over fine leg Philosophy: No boundary is unreachable

De Villiers’ 204 sixes came to every corner of the ground. He invented shots, improvised constantly, and made impossible angles look easy.

Key Stats:

• Strike rate of 101.09 (only player above 100 with 200+ sixes)
• 149 runs off 44 balls with 16 sixes against West Indies
• Retired as the fastest scorer in ODI history

Most Sixes in Single ODI Match: The Biggest Explosions

Some innings transcend normal cricket and enter legendary territory. Here are the most explosive single-match six-hitting performances:

Record Analysis:

Morgan’s 17 sixes in a single ODI match remain untouched. What makes it more impressive? He scored 148 runs with only 4 fours. That means 102 of his 148 runs came from sixes alone (68.9%).

AB de Villiers’ 16 sixes in just 44 balls give him the best sixes-per-ball ratio: one six every 2.75 balls. That’s statistically the most brutal assault in ODI history.

Evolution of Power-Hitting in ODI Cricket

The game has transformed dramatically. Let’s look at era-wise changes:

1990s Era:

• Average team score: 220-240
• Sixes were rare celebrations
• Defensive batting dominated
• Field restrictions were less aggressive

2000s Era:

• Average team score: 250-270
• Players like Afridi and Jayasuriya normalized aggression
• Pinch-hitters became strategic weapons
• Bat technology improved

2010s Era:

• Average team score: 280-300
• Players like Gayle and De Villiers dominated
• T20 cricket influenced ODI batting
• Power-play rules changed

2020s Era:

• Average team score: 300+
• Chasing 350+ became achievable
• Every position is expected to hit boundaries
• Smaller boundaries in many stadiums

Current Trends Affecting Players With Most Sixes In ODI Cricket:

• Bigger bat sizes with thicker edges
• Improved fitness allows longer careers
• Better batting techniques against variations
• Franchise cricket teaches aggressive approaches

Active Players Chasing Records

Several current players could challenge the top rankings:

Jos Buttler has the best chance among active players to reach 250+ sixes. His strike rate of 115.10 and aggressive approach make him dangerous. If he plays until 2028, he could finish with 270+ sixes.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q1: Who has the most sixes in ODI cricket right now?

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

• Q2: What’s the record for most sixes in one ODI innings?

Eoin Morgan hit 17 sixes against Afghanistan in 2019, which remains the world record for most sixes in a single ODI match.

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

Chris Gayle has 331 ODI sixes, ranking third all-time behind Rohit Sharma and Shahid Afridi.

• Q4: Which player has hit the most sixes across all cricket formats?

Rohit Sharma currently leads with 638 sixes across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is combined, though Chris Gayle’s total, including domestic league,s exceeds 1000.

• Q5: Who holds the record for most boundaries (fours) in ODI cricket?

Sachin Tendulkar holds the record with 2016 fours in ODI cricket, a mark that’s stood since his retirement in 2012.

Final Analysis: Numbers That Tell Stories

The players with the most sixes in ODI cricket represent different eras, philosophies, and cricket cultures.

Rohit Sharma’s 352 sixes showcase consistent excellence over 18 years. Afridi’s 351 represents fearless entertainment. Gayle’s 331 embodies pure power.

What’s remarkable is how these records keep evolving. In 2010, 300 sixes seemed impossible.

Now players are approaching 350+. The next generation might see someone reach 400 or even 450 sixes.

But behind every statistic is a moment—a crowd erupting, a bowler frustrated, a captain helpless.

These sixes aren’t just numbers in record books. They’re memories etched in cricket history.

As batting techniques improve, bats get better, and boundaries get shorter, we’ll witness even more explosive cricket.

The race to dominate the six-hitting charts will continue, bringing more records, more excitement, and more unforgettable moments.

For now, Rohit Sharma sits at the top. But in cricket, records exist to be broken, and somewhere, a young player is practicing to become the next six-hitting king.

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