Top 10 batsmen with most sixes in ODI cricket

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi holds the record for most sixes in ODI cricket.

Watching any batter hitting a big shot in cricket is always a pleasing feeling for any cricket fan. Cricket is the only game that keeps on improvising in its features and brings out the different formats to give their fans entertainment and also an attachment they all look for. Power hitters have always earned the fandom in cricket with a huge number.

Six-hitters have always been in high demand in the current setup of cricket with white-ball cricket taking center stage. The 90s saw a massive change in cricket when ODI cricket saw plenty of power-hitters playing for each team in international cricket. From Shahid Afridi, Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, Sourav Ganguly, and Sanath Jayasuriya there are a number of players currently in the Top 10 six hitters list, Let’s have a look. 

Top 10 batters with most number of sixes in ODIs:

10. Sourav Ganguly (India) - 190 Sixes:

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly was known as one of the most destructive batters in the world of cricket. He has smashed 190 sixes in 311 one-day internationals in his career. Ganguly was known for smashing spinners with ease. For most of his career, he kept on dominating spinners. Sourav Ganguly has scored 11,363 runs in the 311 ODIs he has played.

9. Sachin Tendulkar (India) - 195 Sixes:

Legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar ended his career with 195 sixes in his 463 one-day international games. Sachin was more of a ground-stroke maker than someone looking for big hits. Occasionally, he used to go over the top, dominating the bowlers. Sachin has smashed more than 2,000 fours in his ODI career. Sachin Tendulkar’s name will be found in most of the batting records.

8. Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) - 200 Sixes:

The former New Zealand skipper has established himself as one of the most aggressive figures in world cricket. The former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum smashed 200 sixes in ODIs and 107 sixes in test cricket. McCullum played 228 ODI innings in his career.

7. Ab De Villiers (South Africa) - 204 Sixes:

Mr. 360 is ranked 7th in the top 10 list of batters with the most sixes in one-day international cricket. Ab De Villiers smashed 204 sixes in his 218 ODI innings. He has scored 9577 runs at an average of 53.51 with 25 centuries and 53 half-centuries in his ODI career. Ab De Villiers was known for smashing sixes on demand.

6. Eoin Morgan (England) - 220 Sixes:

England’s World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan smashed 220 sixes in his career and also holds a special record of smashing most sixes in an innings. Morgan sent 17 balls out of the park against Afghanistan in the World Cup 2019. Morgan has played 230 ODI innings in his career to take his six-hitting ratio to almost 1:1, just like Brandon Mccullum and AB De Villiers.

5. MS Dhoni (India) - 229 Sixes:

When he started his career in white ball cricket, he made his name as a guy with long hair who smashes the ball with brute power and hits 6 on his own demand. MS Dhoni smashed 229 sixes in his 297 ODI innings for team India. Dhoni’s six against Nuwan Kulasekara in the 2011 World Cup is etched in everyone’s memory as the match that ended the 28-years-long World Cup wait for team India.

4. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) - 270 Sixes:

Former Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya smashed 270 sixes in his ODI career. Jayasuriya was known for his fiery starts as an opener and was a crucial figure in Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup victory. Jayasuriya had a long limited-overs career for his national side and batted with several opening partners. His own aggressive game remained intact and always dominated the bowlers.

3. Rohit Sharma (India) - 309 Sixes:

Current Indian captain Rohit Sharma is first Indian batsman to hit 300 sixes in this ODI cricket. Rohit Sharma hit his 300th six against Pakistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. He smacked Haris Rauf over for his 300th ODI six. Rohit Sharma currently has 303 sixes to his name in the 50-over format of the game. Rohit Sharma also holds the record of smashing the most sixes in T20Is and in international cricket.

2. Chris Gayle (West Indies) - 331 Sixes:

Former West Indian opener Chris Gayle is one of only two batters in international cricket who have scored more than 300 sixes in one-day international cricket. Known as The Universe Boss in the world of cricket, Chris Gayle also holds the record for smashing the most number of big shots in international cricket with 553 sixes. Gayle's six-hit ratio is better than everyone on this list.

1. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) -  351 Sixes:

Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi holds the record for hitting the most sixes in one-day internationals. Afridi, in 369 ODI innings, had hit 351 sixes in his career. Afridi played 398 ODI games and scored 8064 runs, including six centuries and 39 half-centuries. Afridi was always considered a big hitter in the world of cricket.

(All stats updated till 22nd October, 2023)