Big sixes have always been one of the most thrilling parts of the one-day format, especially when discussing the legends who hold the most sixes in ODI cricket. The players featured in this list didn’t just entertain; they redefined batting with fearless stroke-play and remarkable consistency. Many of them rank high among players with the most sixes in ODI career history, shaping the power-hitting culture fans love today. Their ability to clear boundaries under pressure continues to inspire modern cricketers.
Top Players With the Most Sixes in ODI Cricket
Below is a clean snapshot of the top ODI six hitters of all time.

ODI Sixes Leaders Table
| Rank | Player | Country | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rohit Sharma | India | 352 |
| 2 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 351 |
| 3 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 331 |
| 4 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 270 |
| 5 | MS Dhoni | India | 229 |
| 6 | Eoin Morgan | ENG/IRE | 220 |
| 7 | AB de Villiers | South Africa | 204 |
| 8 | Brendon McCullum | New Zealand | 200 |
| 9 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 195 |
| 10 | Sourav Ganguly | India | 190 |
Power-Hitters Who Changed ODI Cricket
Rohit Sharma – 352 Sixes
Rohit Sharma’s six-hitting looks effortless, combining smooth timing with natural lift. His pull shot alone is enough to intimidate the best bowlers. As one analyst said, “Rohit turns good-length balls into crowd moments.” His dominance puts him among players with the most sixes in ODI career history and cements his legacy as a modern-era giant.
Shahid Afridi – 351 Sixes
Afridi redefined aggression in ODI cricket. His fearless philosophy made crowds erupt with every swing. He inspired generations of hitters and still stands tall among highest six-hitting records in ODI international matches thanks to his bold and unpredictable style.
Chris Gayle – 331 Sixes
The Universe Boss built his reputation on brute strength. Bowlers knew trouble was coming the moment he walked in. Gayle’s towering hits earned him a permanent spot among ODI cricket all-time leaders in sixes by players, with a strike rate that showcased both power and intimidation.
Sanath Jayasuriya – 270 Sixes
Jayasuriya brought fearless attacking cricket into the powerplay before it was fashionable. His quick wrists and bold intent made him one of the earliest ambassadors of explosive ODI batting. He remains a reference point in discussions about highest six-hitting records in ODI international matches.
MS Dhoni – 229 Sixes
Dhoni’s calm approach and helicopter shot gave him unmatched finishing power. His sixes often arrived at high-pressure moments, adding to his reputation as the game’s greatest finisher. His intelligent late hitting placed him firmly among the top ODI batsmen famous for power-hitting sixes.
Eoin Morgan – 220 Sixes
Morgan transformed England’s white-ball setup with fearless innovation. His 17 sixes in a single ODI remains an iconic highlight. His presence in the ODI cricket all-time leaders in sixes by players list is a testament to his vision and clean hitting.
AB de Villiers – 204 Sixes
AB’s ability to hit sixes from any angle made him a global fan favourite. His creativity, athleticism, and precision elevated modern limited-overs batting. His 360-degree hitting firmly puts him among the top ODI batsmen famous for power-hitting sixes.
Brendon McCullum – 200 Sixes
McCullum played ODIs as if every ball deserved maximum punishment. His fearless starts changed the rhythm of limited-overs cricket. His influence can still be seen in today’s aggressive powerplay approach.
Sachin Tendulkar – 195 Sixes
Though celebrated for classical technique, Sachin’s straight sixes were powerful and breathtaking. He combined consistency with controlled aggression to finish with nearly 200 sixes, showing his adaptability across eras.
Sourav Ganguly – 190 Sixes
Ganguly loved stepping out against spin and lifting bowlers over long-on with grace. His sixes weren’t just powerful—they were elegant. His presence in the elite six-hitters list speaks to his dominance at the top.
Extended Six-Hitters Who Left a Mark
This group includes Jos Buttler, Martin Guptill, Yuvraj Singh, Glenn Maxwell, Ross Taylor, Adam Gilchrist, Chris Cairns, and Paul Stirling—players whose six-hitting impact shaped ODI cricket over the last two decades and contributed significantly to the growing legacy of the most sixes in ODI cricket.
Their strike rates, bold intent, and ability to shift momentum made them irreplaceable assets for their teams. As former cricketer Michael Holding noted, “Modern ODI cricket is built on the confidence these hitters brought to the crease.”
Why Six-Hitting Matters More Today
With field restrictions, high-scoring surfaces, and evolving batting philosophies, six-hitting has become a central part of ODI strategy. As teams analyse the most sixes in ODI cricket, they increasingly prioritise batters who can clear the boundary under pressure because it accelerates the run rate and changes match tempo instantly.
The players above have shaped the benchmark for future generations and pushed ODI cricket toward a bolder, more attacking era, inspiring the next wave of hitters aiming to feature among the most sixes in ODI cricket.
Also, explore more records on cricketer.io.
FAQs
Who holds the record for the most sixes in ODI cricket?
Rohit Sharma leads the list with exceptional consistency and power.
Which player had the earliest impact on ODI power-hitting?
Sanath Jayasuriya was one of the first openers to adopt full-throttle aggression.
Is six-hitting more common today?
Yes, modern training, lighter bats, and aggressive tactics have increased six-hitting frequency.
Which wicketkeeper has the highest ODI sixes?
MS Dhoni and Adam Gilchrist are among the most dominant keeper-batters in this list.
Do sixes influence match momentum?
Absolutely — a couple of timely sixes can flip pressure instantly and often decide matches.
