In the world of One Day International (ODI) cricket, few sights are as exhilarating as a ball soaring over the boundary rope for six. Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi holds the career record with 351 sixes, while England’s Eoin Morgan set the single-innings mark with 17 maximums against Afghanistan in 2019.
In this article, we’ll explore the exciting world of most sixes in ODI (One Day International) cricket. We’ll look at the career records for the most sixes hit and the most sixes smashed in a single innings. These power-hitters have thrilled fans worldwide with their ability to clear the boundary rope with ease.
Most Sixes In ODI Cricket: Career Records
Over the years, several batsmen have made a name for themselves as prolific six-hitters in ODI cricket. These players possess a unique combination of power, timing, and skill that allows them to send the ball soaring over the ropes consistently.
Here’s a table of the top 20 players with the most career sixes in ODI cricket:
| Player | Team | Span | Mat | Inns | Runs | HS | SR | Sixes | Fours | Not Outs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shahid Afridi | PAK | 1996-2015 | 398 | 369 | 8064 | 124 | 117.00 | 351 | 730 | 27 |
| Rohit Sharma | IND | 2007-2024 | 265 | 257 | 10866 | 264 | 92.43 | 331 | 1012 | 36 |
| Chris Gayle | WI | 1999-2019 | 301 | 294 | 10480 | 215 | 87.19 | 331 | 1128 | 17 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | SL | 1989-2011 | 445 | 433 | 13430 | 189 | 91.20 | 270 | 1500 | 18 |
| MS Dhoni | IND | 2004-2019 | 350 | 297 | 10773 | 183* | 87.56 | 229 | 826 | 84 |
| Eoin Morgan | ENG | 2006-2022 | 248 | 230 | 7701 | 148 | 91.16 | 220 | 654 | 34 |
| AB de Villiers | SA | 2005-2018 | 228 | 218 | 9577 | 176 | 101.09 | 204 | 840 | 39 |
| Brendon McCullum | NZ | 2002-2016 | 260 | 228 | 6083 | 166 | 96.37 | 200 | 577 | 28 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | IND | 1989-2012 | 463 | 452 | 18426 | 200* | 86.23 | 195 | 2016 | 41 |
| Sourav Ganguly | IND | 1992-2007 | 311 | 300 | 11363 | 183 | 73.70 | 190 | 1122 | 23 |
| Martin Guptill | NZ | 2009-2022 | 198 | 195 | 7346 | 237* | 87.29 | 187 | 750 | 19 |
| Jos Buttler | ENG | 2012-2023 | 181 | 154 | 5022 | 162* | 117.11 | 170 | 407 | 27 |
| Ricky Ponting | AUS | 1995-2012 | 375 | 365 | 13704 | 164 | 80.39 | 162 | 1231 | 39 |
| Yuvraj Singh | IND | 2000-2017 | 304 | 278 | 8701 | 150 | 87.67 | 155 | 908 | 40 |
| Chris Cairns | NZ | 1991-2006 | 215 | 193 | 4950 | 115 | 84.26 | 153 | 345 | 25 |
| Glenn Maxwell | AUS | 2012-2024 | 142 | 130 | 3934 | 201* | 126.82 | 151 | 378 | 17 |
| Virat Kohli | IND | 2008-2024 | 295 | 283 | 13906 | 183 | 93.54 | 151 | 1302 | 44 |
| Adam Gilchrist | AUS | 1996-2008 | 287 | 279 | 9619 | 172 | 96.94 | 149 | 1162 | 11 |
| Ross Taylor | NZ | 2006-2022 | 236 | 220 | 8607 | 181* | 83.32 | 147 | 713 | 39 |
| Inzamam-ul-Haq | PAK | 1991-2007 | 378 | 350 | 11739 | 137* | 74.24 | 144 | 971 | 53 |
Most Sixes In An ODI Innings
While career records are impressive, the ability to hit numerous sixes in a single innings is a testament to a batsman’s power and dominance on a given day. These explosive performances often lead to memorable victories and leave spectators in awe.
Here’s a table of the top 10 players with the most sixes in a single ODI innings:
| Player | Team | Runs | Balls | Opponent | Fours | Sixes | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eoin Morgan | ENG | 148 | 71 | Afghanistan | 4 | 17 | Manchester | 18 Jun 2019 |
| Rohit Sharma | IND | 209 | 158 | Australia | 12 | 16 | Bengaluru | 02 Nov 2013 |
| AB de Villiers | SA | 149 | 44 | West Indies | 9 | 16 | Johannesburg | 18 Jan 2015 |
| Chris Gayle | WI | 215 | 147 | Zimbabwe | 10 | 16 | Canberra | 24 Feb 2015 |
| Jaskaran Malhotra | USA | 173 | 124 | PNG | 4 | 16 | Al Amerat | 09 Sep 2021 |
| Shane Watson | AUS | 185 | 96 | Bangladesh | 15 | 15 | Mirpur | 11 Apr 2011 |
| Corey Anderson | NZ | 131 | 47 | West Indies | 6 | 14 | Queenstown | 01 Jan 2014 |
| Chris Gayle | WI | 162 | 97 | England | 11 | 14 | St George’s | 27 Feb 2019 |
| Jos Buttler | ENG | 162 | 70 | Netherlands | 7 | 14 | Amstelveen | 17 Jun 2022 |
| Thisara Perera | SL | 140 | 74 | New Zealand | 8 | 13 | Mount Maunganui | 05 Jan 2019 |
The most recent entry in this top 10 list is Jos Buttler’s incredible innings of 162 runs off just 70 balls against the Netherlands on June 17, 2022. Buttler’s knock included 7 fours and a staggering 14 sixes, showcasing his ability to clear the boundary with ease. This performance helped England post a massive total and secure a comfortable victory.
Related Posts:
Conclusion: Shahid Afridi Has Hit The Most Sixes In ODI Cricket
The art of six-hitting has become an integral part of modern ODI cricket. Players like Shahid Afridi, Rohit Sharma, and Chris Gayle have redefined the game with their ability to clear the ropes throughout their careers. Meanwhile, explosive innings like Eoin Morgan’s 17-six blitz against Afghanistan demonstrate the impact a single power-hitting performance can have on a match.
As cricket continues to evolve, we can expect to see more batsmen pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of six-hitting. These power-hitters not only contribute to their team’s success but also provide thrilling entertainment for fans around the world. The pursuit of clearing the ropes will undoubtedly remain a key aspect of ODI cricket for years to come.
Leave a Comment