In the fast-paced, boundary-loving world of One-Day International (ODI) cricket, sixes — the soaring shots that clear the boundary on the full — are among the most exciting moments for players and fans alike. As of late 2025, a select group of batsmen stand out for having hit the most sixes over the course of their ODI careers. This article explains who they are, the significance of their achievement, and what their power-hitting legacy means for the evolution of ODI cricket, especially for Indian audiences.
The Current Record-Holders: Who Tops the Six-Hitting Charts
According to the latest compiled statistics, the top players with the most sixes in ODI history are:
| Rank | Batsman | Country | Career Span (ODI) | Sixes (6s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 1996–2015 | 351 crickettimelines.com+2SportsAdda+2 |
| 2 | Rohit Sharma | India | 2007–present (as of 2025) | 344 (or more, depending on recent matches) crickettimelines.com+2Jagranjosh.com+2 |
| 3 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 1999–2019 | 331 crickettimelines.com+1 |
| 4 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 1989–2011 | 270 SportsAdda+1 |
| 5 | MS Dhoni | India | 2004–2019 | 229 SportsAdda+1 |
These records reflect the total sixes across the players’ entire ODI careers (not limited to any single series or tournament).
Importantly, the top three — Afridi, Rohit Sharma, and Gayle — are the only batsmen in ODI history with more than 330 sixes.
What Makes This Record So Significant
1. A Measure of Power, Consistency and Longevity
Hitting sixes consistently over many years requires not just raw power but timing, adaptability, and fitness. Batsmen like Rohit Sharma and Chris Gayle have demonstrated longevity — playing across different phases of ODI cricket — while maintaining their boundary-hitting finesse.
2. Influence on Game Strategy and Batting Approach
The prevalence of six-hitters has reshaped how teams build innings. Teams now value batsmen who can accelerate the scoring rate, especially in the “death overs” (final overs), where the ability to clear boundaries quickly can decide matches.
3. Evolution of ODI Cricket Itself
ODI cricket has evolved: changes in bat design, improvement in fitness, and field restrictions have made six hitting more common. That said, surpassing 300+ sixes remains a rare milestone — doable only by players with exceptional skill and long careers.
For Indian audiences, having two Indians (Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni) among the top five showcases the country’s strength in producing modern, aggressive batters.
What This Means for India and Indian Cricket
- Inspiration for Young Batsmen: Indian cricket — historically admired for classical batting — now also celebrates power-hitting talents. Rohit Sharma’s presence near the top inspires young cricketers to add “the big shot” to their arsenal.
- Team Strategy: For India, having power-hitting options helps in both building big totals and chasing daunting targets. It also reflects how Indian ODI teams increasingly value depth in batting.
- Fan Engagement and Global Recognition: Sixes are crowd-pleasers. Having Indian batsmen among the top six-hitters boosts interest, especially among younger fans, and helps Indian cricket’s global brand.
A Legacy of Maximums — But Also a Changing Landscape
While six-hitting remains glamorous, it’s worth remembering that not all classic ODI matches are about hitting boundaries. Skillful building of innings, running between the wickets, rotating strike and situational awareness still matter. The record of “most sixes” celebrates one facet — power hitting — even as the game evolves.
With changes in formats (rise of T20s, shifting focus on all-format players) and evolving bowling strategies, future players who rise to the top of this list will have to combine power with adaptability.
The record for most sixes in ODI cricket — led by Shahid Afridi’s 351 — is more than a statistic. It reflects decades of skill, evolving batting techniques, and changing dynamics of ODI cricket. For India, the fact that players like Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni feature prominently underlines the country’s transition into a powerhouse of aggressive batting in the white-ball format.
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Last Updated on: Monday, December 1, 2025 12:00 pm by Sakethyadav | Published by: Sakethyadav on Monday, December 1, 2025 12:00 pm | News Categories: News
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