Batsmen with most sixes in ODI!

Cricket is not just a game of boundaries and sixes, but I think I’m in minority with those who always admire great fast bowling and batsmen who counter them with authority. In the World of Cricket, there are some great batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Muhammad Yousif, Ricky Ponting, Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis etc. but I’m really not looking at them. I’m looking at my Top ten Batsmen who can tear any bowling attack apart. These batsmen are a bowler’s nightmare, they can be match-winners on their day.

Today’s cricket, inspired by T20, is more about sixes which lands us onto the question ” which batsman has hit most sixes in ODI cricket career?”  The answer is! No other than Pakistan’s swashbuckling all-rounder Shahid Afridi hit most sixes in ODI cricket. Best known as Boom Boom, started his career as leg spinner, scored century the first time he went out to bat which is still the fastest ever, and changed his career forever. He is known for his aggressive batting style, and holds many individual records. If you notice, Shahid Afridi also has the highest strike-rate among the greatest six hitters. Here, below is list of top 10 Batsmen with most sixes in ODI cricket.

10.  Chris Cairns | New Zealand

At 9th position, the Kiwi batsman CL Cairns. He has 153 sixes to his credit in 215 matches and 193 innings. Cairns only managed 345 fours at a strike rate of 84 and with disappointing average of 29.

9. AB de Villiers | South Africa

De Villiers, The South African cricketer, who captains the South African One Day International (ODI) team is at No. 9. Widely regarded as the best batsman in the world at present, De Villiers slapped 155 sixes in 184 matches and 177 innings and hit an exceptional number of fours as well –699. He maintained a strike rate of 98.64 and average of 52.90.

8.  Ricky Ponting | Australia

The retired Australian legend slammed 162 sixes in 375 matches and 365 innings. Punter hit 1231 fours during his ODI career with strike rate of 80 and average 42.

6.  Brendon McCullum | New Zealand

The current New Zealand skipper, McCullum has 180 sixes to his credit in 244 matches with 213 innings. McCullum has also hit 526 fours with a strike rate of 90. His average of 30 is highly disappointing.

7.  MS Dhoni | India

The cool man, The Indian skipper has so far blasted 179 sixes in 258 matches and 225 innings. In addition, Dhoni hit 650 fours, while maintaining a strike rate of 89 and stunning average of 53.

5.  Sourav Ganguly | India

Ganguly hit 190 sixes during his career spanned 311 matches and 300 innings. Known as Dada, hit 1122 fours at a strike rate of 74 and average of 41.

4.  Sachin Tendulkar | India

The Indian legend, Tendulkar slapped 195 sixes in 463 matches and 452 innings. Till date, Tendulkar is the only batsman to international to have hit more than 2000 fours. He has 2016 fours to his credit. He maintained a strike rate of 86 and average of 45.

3.  Chris Gayle | West Indies

Gayle, the Jamaican cricketer who plays international cricket for the West Indies took the 3rd place. He has blasted 230 sixes in 268 matches and 263 innings. He has 1034 fours to his credit and his strike rate is 84 and average is 37.33.

Gayle has slapped 16 Sixes during ICC WC-2015 against Zimbabwe, that is the 3rd maximum 6s (after RG Sharma and AB de Villiers) in an ODI innings. He scored 215 runs that is the 4th biggest individual score in ODI cricket history.

2.  Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka

The former Lankan great cricketer Jayasuriya is at No.2 with 270 sixes in 445 matches and 433 innings. Jayasuriya also slapped 1500 fours during his ODI career. He maintained a strike rate of 91 and average of 32.

1.  Shahid Khan Afridi | Pakistan

Pakistani Pathan, Boom Boom Afridi is at number one having thrashed 350 sixes in 396 matches (368 innings). While he has 727 fours to his credit and an unbelievable strike rate of 116. He has highly disappointing average of 24.