Top 5 batters with most sixes in ODIs ft. Rohit Sharma

Six-hitting has increasingly become the most pivotal art for a batter to master in the white-ball formats, given the high-scoring nature of the sport. While pulling off maximums at all stages of an innings has become paramount, producing them in the powerplay and at the death overs has become particularly non-negotiable.

In the more than five decades of ODI cricket, several batters have accumulated big hits over the boundary ropes. However, some have made it their calling card compared to others, resulting in them featuring at the top of the six-hitting chart.

While eight batters have smashed 200 or more sixes in ODI cricket, only three have managed to smoke 300+ maximums.

Here, we look at the top five batters with the most sixes in ODIs amid the ongoing series opener between India and South Africa in Ranchi.

#5 MS Dhoni

Former Indian captain MS Dhoni is fifth on the list of six-hitters in 50-over cricket with 229. The now-44-year-old smashed his first maximum in ODIs in 2004 and never looked back, with his season-high 24 sixes coming in the following season in 2005.

Dhoni also enjoyed three other years in which he smashed at least 20 ODI sixes, in 2006, 2007, and 2013. He even struck 11 sixes in his final ODI season in 2019.

As far as teams are concerned, Dhoni took a special liking to Sri Lanka, smashing 45 ODI sixes against them, the most against any opponent. The legendary right-hander had a similar number of ODI maximums at home and away, with 116 and 113, respectively.

#4 Sanath Jayasuriya

Former Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya was renowned for his effortless ease of hitting sixes in white-ball cricket. The champion left-hander was among the first batters to exploit the fielding restrictions in the first power play and clear the ropes at will.

Jayasuriya finished his ODI career with 270 maximums, fourth all-time in the 50-over format. While he did not smash a single six in his first three ODI seasons from 1989 to 1991, the big hits began exploding ever since.

Jayasuriya enjoyed an incredible five years with at least 25 sixes in ODIs in 1996, 1997, 2001, 2006, and 2007. Surprisingly, the former skipper struck only 51 ODI maximums in 128 home games but an outstanding 219 in 317 away outings.

#3 Chris Gayle

Former West Indian opener Chris Gayle is the first of three batters with over 300 maximums in ODIs. Famous for his distance-hitting, especially straight down the ground, Gayle finished his stellar 50-over career with an extraordinary 331 sixes.

After smashing only seven maximums in his first three ODI seasons from 1999 to 2001, Gayle exploded for 25 maximums in ODIs in 2002. It was one of five seasons where the West Indian opener smashed at least 25 sixes in ODIs, with 2008, 2009, 2015, and 2019 being the others.

Gayle struck an unbelievable 56 maximums in his final ODI season in 2019 in just 17 matches. He also cleared the ropes at will, at home and away, with 147 of his 331 sixes coming in the former and 184 coming away from the Caribbean.

#2 Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi was almost always sixer or bust during his stay in the middle in white-ball cricket. The now-45-year-old was the first cricketer ever to record 350 sixes in ODIs, finishing his career with 351.

Afridi was an immediate six-hitting machine, smashing 18 sixes in his maiden ODI season in 1996. There was never any looking back as the right-hander smashed at least 20 maximums in seven separate seasons in ODIs.

Afridi also struck at least 50 sixes in ODIs against three teams: India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.

#1 Rohit Sharma

Former Indian skipper Rohit Sharma added to his collection of ODI records by becoming the leading six-hitter in the ongoing first ODI against the Proteas in Ranchi. The 38-year-old entered the contest only two behind Afridi and smashed three maximums in his enterprising 51-ball 57.

With 352 maximums, Rohit now holds the record for most ODI sixes in a mere 277 outings. The champion batter boasts an incredible five seasons with at least 30 maximums in the 50-over format, including 67 in 2023.

Furthermore, Rohit has smashed at least 50 sixes against two opponents in ODIs, Australia and Sri Lanka, including an extraordinary 93 against the former.