Six hitting is one of the most exciting aspects of cricket. While some batters rely on timing and placement, others use power to clear the boundary with ease. The greatest six hitters combine these skills with consistency, adaptability and the ability to perform against different bowling attacks.
Rohit Sharma holds the record for the most sixes in international cricket, with 674 across Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Chris Gayle follows with 553, while Shahid Afridi occupies third place with 476. These records highlight the impact of aggressive batting across different generations of international cricket.
Top 10 Players With the Most Sixes in Cricket History
The following table ranks the leading men’s international six hitters by their combined totals in Test cricket, ODIs and T20Is. The matches column includes appearances across all three international formats.
| Rank | Player | Country | Matches | Total Sixes |
| 1 | Rohit Sharma | India | 517 | 674 |
| 2 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 483 | 553 |
| 3 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 524 | 476 |
| 4 | Jos Buttler | England | 424 | 418 |
| 5 | Brendon McCullum | New Zealand | 432 | 398 |
| 6 | Martin Guptill | New Zealand | 367 | 383 |
| 7 | MS Dhoni | India | 538 | 359 |
| 8 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 586 | 352 |
| 9 | Eoin Morgan | England and Ireland | 379 | 346 |
| 10 | Virat Kohli | India | 565 | 335 |
1. Rohit Sharma
Source: CricTracker
Rohit Sharma leads international cricket with 674 sixes across all three formats. The Indian batter has built his record through a combination of outstanding timing, powerful strokes and the ability to convert starts into substantial innings.
Rohit is particularly effective against both pace and spin. His ability to judge the length early allows him to pull, hook and loft deliveries over the boundary with remarkable consistency. He also holds the men’s ODI record with 381 sixes, surpassing Shahid Afridi’s previous mark of 351.
His international total includes 88 Test sixes, 381 ODI sixes and 205 T20I sixes. Although he retired from Test cricket in 2025 and T20 internationals in 2024, his continued ODI appearances have allowed him to extend his overall record.
2. Chris Gayle
Source: Sky Sports
Chris Gayle finished his international career with 553 sixes for the West Indies. His explosive batting, immense physical strength and ability to dominate bowlers made him one of the most recognisable power hitters in cricket.
Gayle could change a match within a few overs, particularly in limited overs cricket. His aggressive approach also made him a major figure in franchise T20 competitions around the world.
Beyond international cricket, Gayle holds the record for the most sixes in men’s T20 cricket, with 1,056. This separate record includes his performances in franchise leagues and other T20 competitions, rather than only matches played for his country.
3. Shahid Afridi
Source: Dawn
Shahid Afridi struck 476 sixes in international cricket while representing Pakistan and other qualifying international sides. He became famous for his fearless approach, often attacking bowlers from the beginning of an innings.
Afridi’s ability to clear the boundary made him a dangerous opponent in ODIs and T20 internationals. His aggressive batting could quickly shift momentum, even when his team needed a rapid change in scoring rate.
He previously held the men’s ODI record with 351 sixes before Rohit Sharma surpassed him. Afridi remains third on the combined international list, reflecting his long career and influence on attacking batting.
4. Jos Buttler
Source: IceCris News
Jos Buttler has recorded 418 international sixes for England. Known for his innovative stroke play and ability to accelerate rapidly, the wicketkeeper batter has become one of the leading power hitters in modern white ball cricket.
Buttler is particularly effective during the middle and final overs of limited overs matches. He can target different parts of the ground, using conventional shots and inventive strokes to disrupt bowling plans.
His international sixes total includes contributions across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. As an active player, Buttler can continue to climb the all time list, depending on his appearances and scoring in future international matches.
5. Brendon McCullum
Source: Olympics.com
Brendon McCullum finished his international career with 398 sixes for New Zealand. His aggressive batting helped establish a more attacking approach to limited overs cricket and influenced many players who followed him.
McCullum was comfortable taking on fast bowlers and spinners from the opening overs. His fearless approach also translated into Test cricket, where he produced attacking innings capable of changing the direction of a match.
He remains one of New Zealand’s most influential batters. His international record reflects both his power and his willingness to score quickly across different formats.
6. Martin Guptill
Source: ICC
Martin Guptill finished his international career with 383 sixes for New Zealand. He was especially effective as a limited overs opener, combining strength with precise timing to provide his team with fast starts.
Guptill could clear the boundary against both pace and spin, making him a consistent threat in ODIs and T20Is. His ability to build substantial innings while maintaining an attacking scoring rate made him an important part of New Zealand’s batting line up.
His sixes total places him sixth on the combined international list. Guptill’s career demonstrates how consistent boundary hitting can contribute to a team’s success over many years.
7. MS Dhoni
Source: BBC
MS Dhoni hit 359 international sixes for India and remains one of the country’s most celebrated finishers. His powerful batting, calm temperament and ability to handle pressure made him particularly dangerous in close matches.
Unlike several players higher on this list, Dhoni frequently batted in the middle order. He often entered the game with fewer deliveries available, yet could accelerate rapidly when the team needed quick runs.
His ability to combine placement, timing and raw power helped him deliver memorable finishes in international cricket. Dhoni’s sixes record also reflects his contributions across Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
8. Sanath Jayasuriya
Source: Outlook India
Sanath Jayasuriya finished his international career with 352 sixes for Sri Lanka. He became famous for his aggressive opening batting, particularly during the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
Jayasuriya helped change ODI batting by attacking during the early overs instead of waiting for the innings to develop. His fearless approach put immediate pressure on opposing bowlers and encouraged teams to reconsider traditional batting strategies.
He also contributed with left arm spin, making him a valuable all rounder. His international sixes total reflects his importance to Sri Lankan cricket across a career spanning more than two decades.
9. Eoin Morgan
Source: mykhel
Eoin Morgan struck 346 international sixes while representing Ireland and England. His attacking batting and ability to score under pressure made him a central figure in modern white ball cricket.
Morgan became particularly influential as England’s limited overs captain. He encouraged an aggressive approach to ODI batting, helping the team develop the confidence to target high totals and maintain pressure throughout an innings.
He captained England to victory at the 2019 Cricket World Cup. His international record combines his contributions for two countries and highlights the role he played in changing England’s approach to limited overs cricket.
10. Virat Kohli
Source: BBC
Virat Kohli completes the top ten with 335 international sixes in the published statistical snapshot used here. He is widely recognised for his consistency, strong technique and ability to chase targets, but his boundary hitting has also become an important part of his game.
Kohli generally builds an innings through placement, running between the wickets and calculated stroke play before increasing his scoring rate. His ability to hit sixes without relying exclusively on brute strength makes him effective in different conditions and formats.
He continues to represent India in limited overs cricket and can add to his international tally. His position among the leading six hitters shows that sustained excellence and controlled aggression can be just as effective as an all out power hitting approach.
Format Wise Records for the Most Sixes in Cricket
The combined international list includes sixes from Tests, ODIs and T20Is. Each format has its own record holder, however, and those figures tell a different story about how batters approach the game.
Most Sixes in Test Cricket
Ben Stokes of England holds the men’s Test record with 138 sixes in 122 matches. His aggressive approach has made him one of the most destructive batters in the longest format.
Stokes surpassed Brendon McCullum’s previous record of 107 Test sixes. His ability to accelerate quickly has helped England change the momentum of matches, particularly during challenging situations.
Stokes retired from international cricket in June 2026, leaving his Test sixes record at 138. Rishabh Pant is among the active batters who could challenge the mark in the future.
Most Sixes in ODI Cricket
Rohit Sharma holds the men’s ODI record with 381 sixes. He moved past Shahid Afridi’s previous mark of 351 and has continued to extend his lead through subsequent ODI appearances.
Rohit’s success in the format comes from his timing, shot selection and ability to build large innings. His ODI sixes record is supported by his capacity to convert starts into hundreds while maintaining a strong scoring rate.
The record highlights his importance to India’s limited overs batting and places him ahead of several renowned power hitters.
Most Sixes in T20 International Cricket
Karanbir Singh of Austria is listed by several recent cricket records sources as the leading men’s T20I six hitter, with 214 sixes. Rohit Sharma follows with 205, although some databases publish lower totals for Karanbir and Rohit.
Karanbir’s remarkable rise includes an innings of 164 runs from 57 balls against Hungary on 28 June 2026. His innings featured 18 fours and 12 sixes, helping Austria post 322, one of the highest team totals in men’s T20I cricket.
The T20I record requires particular care because the available databases do not agree on the current totals. CricIndeed lists Karanbir on 214, while Cricket Record Book reports 211 and Possible11 lists 204. These differences should be checked against ESPNcricinfo immediately before publication.
Most Sixes in All T20 Cricket
Chris Gayle holds the men’s career record for the most sixes in T20 cricket, with 1,056. Unlike the international records above, this figure includes franchise leagues and other recognised T20 competitions.
Gayle’s success in the Indian Premier League, Caribbean Premier League and other tournaments established him as one of the format’s most destructive batters. His combination of power, timing and sustained performance helped him cross the thousand sixes milestone.
International T20 records and overall T20 records should not be confused. The first includes only T20 internationals, while the second covers a much broader range of competitions.
What Makes a Batter a Great Six Hitter?
Power is important, but technique, timing and decision making are equally valuable. The best six hitters read the bowler’s length, recognise scoring opportunities and choose shots that match their strengths.
Timing allows a batter to generate distance without relying entirely on physical strength. Balanced footwork and controlled movement help players hit through the line or direct the ball towards different areas of the ground.
The format also affects six hitting. T20 cricket encourages rapid scoring, while ODI batters often build an innings before accelerating. In Test cricket, sixes are less frequent, but attacking shots can still change the pace and outcome of a match.
Consistency is another important factor. Reaching a high career total requires a player to maintain an attacking threat over many matches, against different opponents and under changing conditions.
FAQs
Rohit Sharma holds the men’s international record with 674 sixes across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. His total places him ahead of Chris Gayle, who finished his international career with 553.
Chris Gayle finished his international career with 553 sixes for the West Indies. He also holds the men’s overall T20 record with 1,056 sixes across different T20 competitions.
Rohit Sharma holds the men’s ODI record with 381 sixes. He surpassed Shahid Afridi’s previous record of 351 and continues to extend his lead through ODI appearances.
Ben Stokes holds the men’s Test record with 138 sixes in 122 matches. He retired from international cricket in June 2026, making his career total final.
Chris Gayle holds the men’s overall T20 career record with 1,056 sixes. This total covers franchise leagues and other T20 competitions, not just international matches.
Virat Kohli is listed with 335 international sixes in the statistical snapshot used for this article. As he continues to play limited overs cricket, his total can increase.
Conclusion
Rohit Sharma leads men’s international cricket with 674 sixes, followed by Chris Gayle with 553 and Shahid Afridi with 476. Jos Buttler, Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, MS Dhoni, Sanath Jayasuriya, Eoin Morgan and Virat Kohli complete the top ten in the published record list.
The format specific records add further context. Rohit leads men’s ODI cricket with 381 sixes, Ben Stokes finished with a record 138 in Test cricket, and Karanbir Singh is listed as the leading T20I six hitter, although his exact total varies by source. Gayle remains the leader for overall T20 cricket with 1,056 sixes.
Together, these achievements demonstrate how power hitting has evolved across cricket. From long Test innings to explosive T20 performances, the leading six hitters have shaped the game through timing, technique and an ability to clear the boundary consistently.