In cricket, sixes are game-changers, providing a rapid boost to the team’s score. A well-timed six can shift momentum, energising both players and the crowd. Hitters who excel at clearing the boundary are invaluable; they not only accumulate runs quickly but also put pressure on the opposition’s bowlers. Teams with strong six-hitters often dictate the pace of the game, creating scoring opportunities and forcing defensive tactics. This article talks about the top six hitters in international cricket history and which players have managed to make a name for themselves by hitting long sixes throughout their careers.
Only AB de Villiers can hit a six in lotus pose. pic.twitter.com/HyYq2gwErf
— S (@FREAKVILL1ERS) December 11, 2023
AB de Villiers is a South African professional cricketer who played for the South African cricket team from 2004 to 2018. He has represented his country in all three formats of the game, with his Test debut coming on 17th December 2004 against England, his ODI debut coming on 2nd February 2005 against England, and his T20I debut coming on 24th February 2006 against Australia. He ended up hitting a total of 328 sixes across all competitions, 204 in ODIs, 64 in Test, and 60 in T20I cricket.
Credit: ESPNcricinfo
Eoin Morgan is an Irish-born cricketer who captained the England cricket team in limited-overs formats. He made his ODI debut for Ireland on 5th August 2006 against Scotland but switched allegiance to England in 2009. He played across all three formats for the England cricket team and made his T20I and Test debuts with them on 5th June 2009 against the Netherlands and 27th May 2010 against Bangladesh, respectively. Throughout his career, he has displayed a unique ability to clear the boundaries, accumulating a total of 346 sixes, with 220 in ODIs, 120 in T20Is, and six in Tests.
Sanath Jayasuriya is a legendary Sri Lankan cricketer known for revolutionising One Day International cricket with his aggressive batting. His international career spanned from 1989 to 2011, during which he became a crucial part of Sri Lanka’s success. Jayasuriya played for the Sri Lankan cricket team across all three formats, making his One Day International debut on 26th December 1989, his Test debut on 22nd February 1991, and his T20I debut on 15th June 2006. Jayasuriya hit a total of 352 sixes, 270 in One Day Internationals, 23 in Twenty20 Internationals, and 59 in Test cricket.
Credit: BBC
Jos Buttler is an English cricketer and one of the most explosive batsmen in modern cricket. Making his T20I debut on 31st August 2011 against the Indian cricket team, he quickly established himself as a key player for England in all formats. His debuts in the other formats followed shortly, with Buttler making his ODI debut on 21st February 2012 against Pakistan and his Test cricket debut on 27th July 2014 against India. Jos Buttler has scored a total of 358 sixes across all three competitions: 33 in Test cricket, 173 in ODIs, and 152 in T20Is.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a former Indian cricketer and one of the most successful captains in the history of the game. He led India to victory in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. MSD was renowned for his finishing abilities, which is why it is no surprise to see him on this list. Dhoni played for the Indian cricket team across all formats, making his debut in T20I, ODI, and Test on 1st December 2006 against South Africa, 23rd December 2004 against Bangladesh, and 2nd December 2005 against Sri Lanka, respectively. Dhoni hit a total of 359 sixes, 229 in ODIs, 78 in Tests, and 52 in T20Is.
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Martin Guptill two huge six against India 3rd ODI in 2016. pic.twitter.com/BP8Z6tM0sT
— 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐬 🇳🇿 (@Kiwiscricketfan) August 15, 2024
Martin Guptill was a key figure in New Zealand cricket and represented them on the international stage from 2009 to 2022. He played for his country across all competitions, making his ODI debut on 10th January 2009 against West Indies, his T20I debut on 15th February 2009 against Australia, and his Test cricket debut on 18th March 2009 against the Indian cricket team. Guptill was known for his hitting ability, and he ended up hitting a total of 383 sixes throughout his career, with 23 coming in Tests, 187 coming in ODIs, and 173 coming in T20Is.
Brendon McCullum, the former captain of the New Zealand cricket team, is renowned for his aggressive playing style and spectacular innings. He played for the Kiwis across all three formats and made his debut for his country in T20I, ODI, and Test cricket on 17th February 2005 against Australia, 17th January 2002 against Australia, and 10th March 2004 against South Africa, respectively. McCullum ended up representing the New Zealand cricket team from 2002 to 2016 and ended up hitting a total of 398 sixes for them across all competitions, 107 in Tests, 200 in ODIs, and 91 in T20Is.
Credit: Cricket365
Shahid Afridi is a former Pakistani cricketer famous for his explosive batting and match-winning performances in limited-overs cricket. He was a very crucial player for the Pakistan cricket team and became a household name thanks to his style of batting. He played for Pakistan from 1996 to 2016, making his Test debut on 22nd October 1998 against Australia, his ODI debut on 2nd October 1996 against Kenya, and his T20I debut on 28th August 2006 against England. He is among the top six hitters in cricket history with a total of 476 sixes, including 351 in ODIs, 73 in T20Is, and 52 in Test cricket.
Chris Gayle, the West Indian cricket icon, is celebrated as one of the most destructive batsmen in the history of cricket. With an international career spanning over two decades, Gayle holds numerous records, many of which are with the help of his incredible six-hitting. Gayle played for the West Indies from 1999 to 2021, making his Test debut on 16th March 2000 against Zimbabwe, ODI debut on 11th September 1999 against the Indian cricket team and T20I debut on 16th February 2006 against New Zealand. Gayle ended up hitting a staggering 553 sixes throughout his career, 331 in ODIs, 124 in T20Is, and 98 in Test cricket.
🚨 ROHIT SHARMA completes 600 sixes in international cricket. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/OenAQA9hYA
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 5, 2024
Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team captain, is known for his elegant batting and tremendous ability to hit sixes. He holds the record for most sixes in international cricket, having hit an unbelievable 637 sixes throughout his career. He has been playing for the Indian cricket team since 2007 and made his ODI debut on 23rd June 2007 against Ireland, T20I debut on 19th September 2007 against England, and Test debut on 6th November 2013 against the West Indies. Rohit Sharma’s knack for big hitting has led him to hit a remarkable total of 637 sixes, with 344 in ODIs, 205 in T20Is, and 88 in Tests.
For more news articles and informative updates on cricketers and various such statistics as well as other football and cricket updates, keep reading GutshotMagazine.com.
Guransh Machra is a sportswriter at Gutshot Magazine. He covers football news from local leagues like the Indian Super League as well as international leagues like the Premier League. He follows various sports like Football, Cricket, Formula 1, and Tennis. Apart from sports, Guransh is also enthusiastic about reading and gaming.
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