Most sixes in ODI cricket
Smashing sixes on a regular basis just goes to show the calibre and the power that a player possesses. Ball sailing into the stands is a familiar sight for the fans in the T20 format as it demands runs at a faster rate. But to do so consistently in the 50-overs format is something more special and there are only three cricketers in the history of the format who have managed to hit a triple century of maximums. These high-quality and power-packed players have always entertained the crowd in the stadium and the viewers with their powerful big hits.
Let’s take a look at the players with the most sixes in ODI cricket (Top 3):
3) Rohit Sharma (314)
India skipper reached the milestone of 300 maximums in one-day internationals in the ongoing sixteenth edition of the World Cup. The 36-year-old, who made his ODI debut against Ireland in Belfast in 2007, has appeared in 259 matches so far. The right-handed dashing opener batter has struck 10554 runs at an average of 49.08 and a strike rate of 91.53. In 251 innings, Rohit has smashed 31 centuries and 54 half-centuries. Talking about boundaries, the captain has hammered 978 fours and 314 maximums in this format. Notably, Rohit is also the leading six-hitter with 573 maximums to his name across formats.
2) Chris Gayle (331)
West Indies player Chris Gayle occupies the second position in this elite chart. The destructive left-handed opening batter, who made his ODI debut against India in Toronto in the year 1999, has featured in 301 ODIs. The 44-year-old Jamaican has amassed 10480 runs at an average of 37.83 and a strike rate of 87.19. In 294 innings, Gayle has slammed 25 centuries and 54 half-centuries. The explosive Caribbean batter has hit 1128 fours and 331 maximums in his ODI career. Rohit recently surpassed Gayle’s tally of 553 maximums in international cricket. The West Indian has always been known for his brutal power-hitting not just in T20 format but also in one-day internationals.
1) Shahid Afridi (351)
Former Pakistan player and captain Shahid Afridi finds himself at the top of this list. The devastating right-hander made his debut in the 50-overs format against Kenya in Nairobi (Aga) in 1996. The now 43-year-old Pakistani played 398 matches in his decorated career. In 369 innings, Afridi smacked 8064 runs at an average and strike rate of 23.57 and 117.00 respectively. He smashed six centuries and 39 half-centuries which included 730 fours and 351 maximums. Afridi’s last appearance in the format came against Australia in the quarter-final clash of the 2015 World Cup in Adelaide. Like Gayle, he was also known for entertaining the crowd with his humongous and monstrous sixes thanks to his ultra-aggressive and fearless batting approach.
