Top 5 Batsmen with Most Sixes in ODIs

Hitting sixes is arguably one of the toughest skills in the game, and that's precisely why it's a rarity. Even in modern-day cricket, where the game is slightly tilted towards the batsmen and players use thicker bats, hitting sixes remains a challenging feat. Despite the advent of T20 cricket and rule changes aimed at making the game more high-scoring, the art of hitting sixes remains a true testament to a player's skill and audacity. While clearing the boundary is undeniably rewarding, it also comes at a cost on many occasions. Time and again, one has seen players losing their wickets while trying to hit sixes. It's not surprising that most players refrain from attempting big hits regularly. This restraint is what makes players with the ability to hit sixes at will even more special. Over the last two decades or so, the cricketing world has witnessed the emergence of batsmen who seize every opportunity to unleash big shots without hesitation. Through this article, we are taking a look at such players. These cricketers have left a lasting impression on the cricket fans with their talent of hitting sixes. We are presenting to you the five cricketers who have hit the most number of sixes in ODI cricket as per Cricket Addictor.

5. MS Dhoni - 229 Sixes

At number five on this list is the former India skipper. One of the most decorated limited-overs cricketers of all time, Dhoni is also widely regarded as arguably the best finisher in the history of the game. The former India wicketkeeper-batsman plied his trade in international cricket from 2004 to 2019 before announcing his retirement in 2020. The legendary cricketer ended his international cricketer with 229 sixes in 350 games. In 2017, he became the first-ever Indian cricketer to reach the 200-sixes mark in the 50-over format. He had achieved the incredible milestone during his brilliant 134-run knock against England in Cuttack. Apart from hitting 229 sixes, Dhoni also hit 826 fours in ODI cricket.

4. Sanath Jayasuriya - 270 Sixes

Former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya is at the fourth spot in this list. The legendary cricketer brought down curtains on his international cricket as one of the most decorated batsmen from his country. He represented Sri Lanka in 445 ODIs and scored over 13000 runs with the help of 28 centuries and 68 half-centuries. At the time of his retirement, he was Sri Lanka's all-time leading run-scorer in ODIs and was only behind Sachin Tendulkar in the overall list. He still holds the record for most ODI centuries by a Sri Lankan. Jayasuriya made a huge impact in the game with his aggressive playing style. He is one of the only two Sri Lankan players with more than 100 sixes and the only Sri Lankan to reach the 200-six mark in ODIs. Jayasuriya retired from ODIs after smashing 270 sixes and a staggering 1500 runs.

3. Rohit Sharma - 323 Sixes

Current India captain Rohit Sharma is occupying the third position in this list. He is the only active international cricketer on the list. Rohit is one of the most decorated openers of all time in white-ball cricket. He holds the record for the highest score in ODIs as well as the most double centuries in the 50-over format and centuries in T20Is. Rohit is also the only Indian player who has touched the 300-six mark in ODIs. So far, he has smashed 323 sixes and 994 fours in 262 ODIs. The right-handed batsman has scored 10709 ODI runs with the help of 31 centuries and 55 half-centuries.

2. Chris Gayle - 331 Sixes

One of the most destructive batsmen of all time, Chris Gayle is second in the list. The former West Indies captain plied his trade in ODIs from 1999 to 2019. In ODIs, he has scored 10480 runs in 301 games with the help of 25 centuries and 54 half-centuries. He has also hit a double-century in the 50-over format. Gayle is the highest run-scorer in ODIs for West Indies. As far as hitting sixes is concerned, he hit 331 sixes during his illustrious career. The left-handed batsman also hit 1128 fours in ODIs stats mentioned in SportzWiki.

1. Shahid Afridi - 351 Sixes

Former Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi is at the top spot in this list. Afridi began his journey in ODI cricket in 1996 and played his last game during the 2015 World Cup. It did not take him long to showcase his extraordinary talent as he broke the record for fastest century in ODI cricket in his very first innings. He reached his century in just 37 balls against Sri Lanka. The record stood intact for almost two decades before being broken by New Zealand's Corey Anderson in 2014. Afridi retired from ODIs after hitting a staggering 351 sixes. He is the only player with 350 or more sixes in the ODI format. The hard-hitting allrounder also hit 730 fours in the 50-over format.