Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi holds the record for the most sixes in ODI cricket, smashing 351 sixes in his career. Known as “Boom Boom,” he was famous for his fearless and powerful hitting.
Several other greats have thrilled fans with their six-hitting skills. India’s Rohit Sharma, with his effortless timing; West Indies’ Chris Gayle, known for his brute strength; and MS Dhoni, the master finisher, all rank among the top six-hitters in ODI history.
This article presents the top 10 players with the most sixes in ODI cricket, highlighting their incredible batting achievements.
Top 10 Batters With the Most Sixes in ODI Cricket
Shahid Afridi leads the list for the most sixes in ODI cricket, followed by several players known for their powerful hitting and ability to clear the boundary consistently.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 six-hitters in ODI history.
| Player | Country | Span | Matches | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 1996-2015 | 398 | 351 |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 2007-2025 | 273 | 344 |
| Chris Gayle | West Indies | 1999-2019 | 301 | 331 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 1989-2011 | 445 | 270 |
| MS Dhoni | India | 2004-2019 | 350 | 229 |
| Eoin Morgan | England | 2006-2022 | 248 | 220 |
| AB de Villiers | South Africa | 2005-2018 | 228 | 204 |
| Brendon McCullum | New Zealand | 2002-2016 | 260 | 200 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 1989-2012 | 463 | 195 |
| Sourav Ganguly | India | 1992-2007 | 311 | 190 |
1. Shahid Afridi
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 398 |
| Runs | 8064 |
| Average | 23.57 |
| Strike rate | 117.00 |
| Highest score | 124 |
| Number of sixes | 351 |
Shahid Afridi was famous for his explosive batting and fearless approach, often launching massive sixes right from the start of his innings. His aggressive style earned him the nickname “Boom Boom,” and he could change the game’s momentum within a few balls.
Afridi’s ability to consistently clear the boundary made him one of the most feared hitters in ODI cricket. With 351 sixes, he holds the record for the most sixes ever hit in the format.
2. Rohit Sharma
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 273 |
| Runs | 11168 |
| Average | 48.46 |
| Strike rate | 92.80 |
| Highest score | 264 |
| Number of sixes | 344 |
Rohit Sharma is known for his effortless timing and ability to find the gaps while hitting towering sixes. His calm and composed batting masks his immense power, making him a deadly finisher and a prolific six-hitter.
Sharma’s knack for accelerating the innings with sixes at crucial moments has been instrumental in India’s success, helping him notch 344 sixes so far in his ODI career.
3. Chris Gayle
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 301 |
| Runs | 10480 |
| Average | 37.83 |
| Strike rate | 87.19 |
| Highest score | 215 |
| Number of sixes | 331 |
Chris Gayle, often called the “Universe Boss,” is renowned for his brute strength and fearless big-hitting. He consistently smashes sixes with ease, intimidating bowlers worldwide with his power and range.
His aggressive batting style, combined with his ability to clear boundaries almost at will, places him among the top six-hitters with 331 sixes in ODI cricket.
4. Sanath Jayasuriya
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 445 |
| Runs | 13430 |
| Average | 32.36 |
| Strike rate | 91.20 |
| Highest score | 189 |
| Number of sixes | 270 |
Sanath Jayasuriya revolutionized opening batting in ODIs with his attacking approach, frequently hitting sixes early to put pressure on the opposition. His innovative stroke play and powerful hitting redefined the role of an opener.
With 270 sixes, Jayasuriya’s aggressive style helped Sri Lanka dominate many matches, and his fearless approach inspired a generation of attacking batsmen.
5. MS Dhoni
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 350 |
| Runs | 10773 |
| Average | 50.57 |
| Strike rate | 87.56 |
| Highest score | 183* |
| Number of sixes | 229 |
MS Dhoni was a master finisher known for his calmness under pressure and ability to clear the boundary with ease. His helicopter shot became iconic, often sending the ball soaring for sixes in tight matches.
Accumulating 229 sixes, Dhoni’s combination of timing, power, and cool temperament made him one of the most effective six-hitters in ODI history.
6. Eoin Morgan
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 248 |
| Runs | 7701 |
| Average | 39.29 |
| Strike rate | 91.16 |
| Highest score | 148 |
| Number of sixes | 220 |
Eoin Morgan brought a fearless and inventive approach to England’s middle order, often dispatching sixes with elegant yet powerful strokes. His ability to innovate and clear boundaries changed England’s ODI fortunes.
Morgan’s tally of 220 sixes is a testament to his role in transforming England into a dominant white-ball side.
7. AB de Villiers
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 228 |
| Runs | 9577 |
| Average | 53.50 |
| Strike rate | 101.09 |
| Highest score | 176 |
| Number of sixes | 204 |
AB de Villiers was a versatile and dynamic batsman who could hit sixes from almost any position. Known for his 360-degree strokeplay, he could adapt his power-hitting to any situation effortlessly.
With 204 sixes, de Villiers’ innovative and aggressive style made him one of the most exciting and effective six-hitters in ODI cricket.
8. Brendon McCullum
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 260 |
| Runs | 6083 |
| Average | 30.41 |
| Strike rate | 96.37 |
| Highest score | 166 |
| Number of sixes | 200 |
Brendon McCullum was an aggressive opener who set the tone with powerful hitting and quick scoring, often overwhelming bowlers with sixes early in the innings. His fearless approach was key to New Zealand’s ODI attack.
McCullum’s 200 sixes highlight his ability to consistently clear the boundary and dictate terms against top bowling attacks.
9. Sachin Tendulkar
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 463 |
| Runs | 18426 |
| Average | 44.83 |
| Strike rate | 86.23 |
| Highest score | 200* |
| Number of sixes | 195 |
Sachin Tendulkar combined exquisite timing with occasional explosive hitting, using sixes to keep the scoreboard ticking. While not purely a power hitter, his calculated six-hitting was crucial in many innings.
Tendulkar balanced finesse and aggression, making him one of the most complete batsmen in ODI history.
10. Sourav Ganguly
ODI Career Stats:
| Matches | 311 |
| Runs | 11363 |
| Average | 41.02 |
| Strike rate | 73.70 |
| Highest score | 183 |
| Number of sixes | 190 |
Sourav Ganguly, the “Prince of Kolkata,” was known for his elegant strokeplay and powerful offside hitting. He frequently cleared the ropes, inspiring India’s batting lineup with his confident six-hitting.
Ganguly’s 190 sixes reflect his ability to dominate bowlers and his role in shaping modern aggressive batting in Indian ODI cricket.
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Conclusion: Shahid Afridi Tops the ODI Sixes Chart with 351 Maximums!
Shahid Afridi, with his unmatched tally of 351 sixes, set the benchmark for power-hitting in ODI cricket. His fearless approach inspired a generation of aggressive batters who followed in his footsteps.
From Rohit Sharma’s elegant lofts to Chris Gayle’s raw muscle and MS Dhoni’s calculated strikes, each of these players brought their own unique style to six-hitting. Their ability to consistently clear the ropes has thrilled fans and reshaped the dynamics of ODI batting.
As the game progresses, these six-hitters remain icons for aspiring players aiming to leave a similar mark.
