Hitting a six in One Day International cricket takes timing, power and confidence. Some batters use elegant strokes to clear the boundary, while others rely on raw strength. The greatest six-hitters combine both qualities and deliver consistently against international bowling attacks.
When discussing the most sixes in ODI cricket, India’s Rohit Sharma currently leads the list. He surpassed Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi in November 2025 and has extended his record to 381 sixes. West Indies legend Chris Gayle occupies third place with 331.
The list also includes Sanath Jayasuriya, MS Dhoni, Eoin Morgan, AB de Villiers and Sachin Tendulkar. These players changed the way teams approach limited-overs batting through their attacking styles.
This covers the top 10 players with the most ODI sixes, their career records, memorable performances and important six-hitting milestones.
Most Sixes in ODI Cricket: Top 10 Players
Rohit Sharma has a clear lead over the other players in the all-time ODI sixes list. He is the only batter to have crossed 350 sixes, while Shahid Afridi and Chris Gayle are the other two players with more than 300.
| Rank | Player | Country | ODI Matches | ODI Sixes |
| 1 | Rohit Sharma | India | 291 | 381 |
| 2 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 398 | 351 |
| 3 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 301 | 331 |
| 4 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 445 | 270 |
| 5 | MS Dhoni | India | 350 | 229 |
| 6 | Eoin Morgan | England | 248 | 220 |
| 7 | AB de Villiers | South Africa | 228 | 204 |
| 8 | Brendon McCullum | New Zealand | 260 | 200 |
| 9 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 463 | 195 |
| 10 | Jos Buttler | England | 204 | 193 |
Note: Rohit Sharma and Jos Buttler remain active in ODI cricket in the records checked for this article. Their figures may change after future matches. The other players in this table have retired from international cricket.
1. Rohit Sharma: 381 Sixes
Country: India
ODI career: 2007 to present
ODI matches: 291
Sixes: 381
Rohit Sharma holds the record for the most sixes in ODI cricket with 381 maximums. His ability to hit the ball over the boundary with effortless timing has made him one of the most destructive opening batters in the format.
He made his ODI debut against Ireland in 2007. His career changed significantly after he became a regular opener in 2013. Since then, he has produced several remarkable performances.
Rohit also holds the record for the highest individual ODI score. He scored 264 against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, in November 2014. He is the only batter to score three double centuries in men’s ODI cricket.
He passed Shahid Afridi’s record of 351 sixes against South Africa in Ranchi on 30 November 2025. His tally has continued to grow since then.
How Rohit Sharma Broke the ODI Sixes Record
Rohit entered the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on 30 November 2025 with 349 ODI sixes, needing three more to surpass Shahid Afridi’s record of 351.
He hit two consecutive sixes off Prenelan Subrayen, first reaching 350 and then equalling Afridi’s record of 351. His third six of the innings came off Marco Jansen. Rohit pulled the delivery over deep square leg to reach 352 and become the leading six-hitter in ODI history.
He scored 57 runs from 50 balls in that innings, recording his 60th ODI half-century. He achieved the record in his 278th ODI and 270th innings, reaching the milestone 128 matches earlier than Afridi.
Rohit Sharma’s Six-Hitting Transformation
Rohit’s six-hitting ability improved dramatically after he became a regular opener.
Until October 2013, he had hit 36 sixes in 102 ODI innings, averaging one six every 102.14 balls. His six-hitting frequency increased after his promotion to the opening position.
Between November 2013 and February 2022, he struck 209 sixes in 121 innings, averaging one six every 32.30 balls.
As India’s ODI captain, he hit 126 sixes in 55 innings, averaging one six every 17.76 balls. This shows how significantly his six-hitting frequency improved during his career.
Rohit Sharma’s Major ODI Six-Hitting Records
Rohit holds several important six-hitting records in men’s ODI cricket:
- Most sixes against one team: 93 against Australia.
- Most sixes in one country: 200 in India, the first batter to reach this milestone.
- Most sixes in a calendar year: 67 in 2023.
- Most sixes in ODI World Cups: 54.
- Most sixes in one World Cup edition: 31 in the 2023 tournament.
- Sixes against fast bowlers: 232.
- Sixes against spin bowlers: 120.
- Sixes in the first 10 overs: 130, second only to Chris Gayle’s 153.
He reached the 200-six milestone in a single country during the second ODI against West Indies at Guwahati on 30 September 2026.
Rohit also holds the record for the most international sixes across Tests, ODIs and T20Is combined. He has hit 674 international sixes: 381 in ODIs, 205 in T20Is and 88 in Tests. He passed Chris Gayle’s previous record of 553 during the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
2. Shahid Afridi: 351 Sixes
Country: Pakistan
ODI career: 1996 to 2015
ODI matches: 398
Sixes: 351
Shahid Afridi was one of the most aggressive batters of his generation. Known by the nickname Boom Boom, he regularly attacked bowlers from the beginning of an innings.
Afridi held the ODI sixes record for approximately 15 years before Rohit Sharma overtook him in 2025. He scored 8,064 ODI runs and hit 351 sixes during his international career.
His fearless approach made him a major attraction in limited-overs cricket. Although he was not known for a conventional batting technique, his ability to change a match within a few overs was exceptional.
Afridi also held the record for the fastest ODI century, scoring a hundred from 37 balls against Sri Lanka in 1996. AB de Villiers later broke that record with a 31-ball century against West Indies in 2015.
3. Chris Gayle: 331 Sixes
Country: West Indies
ODI career: 1999 to 2019
ODI matches: 301
Sixes: 331
Chris Gayle ranks third with 331 ODI sixes. The left-handed West Indian opener was famous for his enormous hitting power and ability to dominate fast bowlers and spinners.
Gayle scored 10,480 ODI runs, including 25 centuries. His unbeaten 215 against Zimbabwe in the 2015 Cricket World Cup was one of his greatest performances. He hit 16 sixes during that innings.
He also became the first batter to score a double century in a men’s Cricket World Cup match. His combination of strength and timing made him one of the most feared six-hitters in international cricket.
4. Sanath Jayasuriya: 270 Sixes
Country: Sri Lanka
ODI career: 1989 to 2011
ODI matches: 445
Sixes: 270
Sanath Jayasuriya changed the approach to ODI opening batting through his aggressive style. He attacked during the early overs and put opposition bowlers under pressure before they could settle into their plans.
His performances alongside Romesh Kaluwitharana during the 1996 Cricket World Cup helped demonstrate how aggressively teams could use the fielding restrictions.
Jayasuriya finished his ODI career with 13,430 runs, 28 centuries and 270 sixes. He remains one of Sri Lanka’s most influential limited-overs batters.
5. MS Dhoni: 229 Sixes
Country: India
ODI career: 2004 to 2019
ODI matches: 350
Sixes: 229
MS Dhoni is fifth with 229 ODI sixes. Unlike many aggressive openers, Dhoni built much of his reputation as a middle-order batter and finisher.
His powerful hitting, calm decision-making and ability to chase difficult targets made him one of India’s most successful ODI players.
Dhoni scored 10,773 ODI runs and played a major role in India’s 2011 Cricket World Cup victory. His unbeaten 91 in the final against Sri Lanka included the famous winning six at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
Dhoni and Jos Buttler are the two wicketkeeper-batters in this top 10.
6. Eoin Morgan: 220 Sixes
Country: England
ODI career: 2006 to 2022
ODI matches: 248
Sixes: 220
Eoin Morgan ranks sixth with 220 sixes. He represented both Ireland and England in ODI cricket and became one of England’s most influential limited-overs captains.
Morgan transformed England’s ODI batting approach through aggressive stroke play and a strong emphasis on attacking cricket.
He led England to their first men’s Cricket World Cup title in 2019. In the group match against Afghanistan at Old Trafford, he smashed 17 sixes in an innings of 148 from 71 balls. That remains the record for the most sixes by a batter in a men’s ODI innings.
7. AB de Villiers: 204 Sixes
Country: South Africa
ODI career: 2005 to 2018
ODI matches: 228
Sixes: 204
AB de Villiers is seventh with 204 sixes. He was famous for his innovative batting and ability to play attacking shots to almost every part of the ground.
His versatility allowed him to score quickly against different types of bowling. He also holds the record for the fastest men’s ODI century, reaching 100 from just 31 balls against the West Indies in Johannesburg in 2015.
De Villiers finished with 9,577 ODI runs and 25 centuries. His ability to combine placement, power and creativity made him one of the most exciting batters of his era.
8. Brendon McCullum: 200 Sixes
Country: New Zealand
ODI career: 2002 to 2016
ODI matches: 260
Sixes: 200
Brendon McCullum reached 200 ODI sixes through an attacking approach that often put bowlers under immediate pressure.
The former New Zealand captain was particularly effective at the top of the order. He could attack from the first over and change the direction of a match in a short period.
One of his most memorable performances came in the 2015 Cricket World Cup semi-final against South Africa. He scored 59 from 26 balls, helping New Zealand reach the final.
9. Sachin Tendulkar: 195 Sixes
Country: India
ODI career: 1989 to 2012
ODI matches: 463
Sixes: 195
Sachin Tendulkar ranks ninth with 195 ODI sixes. He played more ODI matches than anyone else in the top 10 and finished his career with 18,426 runs.
Tendulkar was known for his technique, timing and ability to adapt to different conditions. Although he was not primarily recognised as a power hitter, he regularly cleared the boundary against some of the strongest bowling attacks in cricket.
He became the first batter to score a double century in men’s ODI cricket, making an unbeaten 200 against South Africa in Gwalior in February 2010.
10. Jos Buttler: 193 Sixes
Country: England
ODI career: 2012 to present
ODI matches: 204
Sixes: 193
Jos Buttler completes the top 10 with 193 ODI sixes. The England wicketkeeper-batter is known for his aggressive approach, quick scoring and ability to finish innings.
Buttler moved into the top 10 in September 2026 after passing Sourav Ganguly’s total of 190 sixes.
He played a major role in England’s 2019 Cricket World Cup triumph and has scored important runs in both the middle and lower-middle order. As an active ODI player in the records checked for this article, he has an opportunity to improve his position further.
ODI Sixes Per Match: Which Batter Hits Sixes Most Frequently?
The total number of sixes shows a batter’s overall record, but sixes per match provide another way to compare their hitting frequency.
| Player | Sixes | Matches | Sixes Per Match |
| Rohit Sharma | 381 | 291 | 1.31 |
| Chris Gayle | 331 | 301 | 1.10 |
| Jos Buttler | 193 | 204 | 0.95 |
| Shahid Afridi | 351 | 398 | 0.88 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 195 | 463 | 0.42 |
Rohit Sharma leads this comparison in both total sixes and sixes per match. He averages approximately 1.31 sixes per ODI, ahead of Chris Gayle’s 1.10 and Jos Buttler’s 0.95.
This comparison highlights Rohit’s six-hitting frequency as well as his overall record.
Who Has Hit the Most Sixes in a Single ODI Innings?
England’s Eoin Morgan holds the record for the most sixes in a men’s ODI innings. He hit 17 sixes against Afghanistan at Old Trafford, Manchester, during the 2019 Cricket World Cup.
Five other batters have hit 16 sixes in a men’s ODI innings, sharing the second-highest mark.
| Player | Opponent | Runs | Sixes |
| Eoin Morgan | Afghanistan | 148 | 17 |
| Rohit Sharma | Australia | 209 | 16 |
| Chris Gayle | Zimbabwe | 215 | 16 |
| Jaskaran Malhotra | Papua New Guinea | 173* | 16 |
| AB de Villiers | West Indies | 149 | 16 |
| Muhammad Waseem | Singapore | 160 | 16 |
Morgan’s innings included 17 sixes and four boundaries. He reached his century in just 57 balls, helping England post 397 for 6.
Why Are Sixes Important in ODI Cricket?
Source Image: Sportsadda
Six-hitting can change the momentum of an ODI match. A batter who clears the boundary regularly can increase the scoring rate and put pressure on the bowling team.
Here are some reasons why sixes matter:
- Faster scoring: Six runs come from one delivery without needing to run between the wickets.
- Pressure on bowlers: Regular maximums force bowlers to change their lengths and field placements.
- Momentum: A few big hits can quickly shift the balance of a match.
- Chasing targets: Sixes help batters reduce the required run rate during difficult chases.
- Entertainment: Powerful shots create excitement for spectators and make limited-overs cricket more engaging.
However, six-hitting alone does not define a successful batter. Players such as Tendulkar and Jayasuriya built outstanding ODI careers through a combination of boundaries, running between the wickets and long innings.
Conclusion
Rohit Sharma leads the list of players with the most sixes in ODI cricket, with 381 maximums. Shahid Afridi and Chris Gayle follow with 351 and 331 respectively.
The top 10 also features several legendary batters who helped shape modern ODI cricket. From Jayasuriya’s attacking opening style to Dhoni’s finishing ability and Morgan’s record-breaking World Cup innings, each player has left a lasting mark on the format.
Rohit also leads the sixes-per-match comparison, showing his exceptional hitting frequency. With Rohit Sharma and Jos Buttler still active in ODI cricket in the records checked for this article, the leaderboard could change again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rohit Sharma holds the record for the most sixes in men’s ODI cricket, with 381 sixes as of 2 November 2026. He surpassed Shahid Afridi’s record in November 2025.
Shahid Afridi is second with 351 ODI sixes. He held the record before Rohit Sharma overtook him.
Virat Kohli has hit 181 ODI sixes as of the 2 November 2026 record snapshot used in this article. He is outside the top 10.
Eoin Morgan holds the men’s ODI record with 17 sixes. He achieved this against Afghanistan during the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Five other batters have hit 16 sixes in an ODI innings.
Only three players have crossed 300 sixes in men’s ODI cricket: Rohit Sharma with 381, Shahid Afridi with 351 and Chris Gayle with 331.