Hitting sixes has become one of the most exciting aspects of modern cricket, with powerful batters regularly clearing the boundary across all three international formats. From explosive openers to aggressive middle-order players, several legends have built their reputations on their ability to hit the ball out of the ground.
India's Rohit Sharma leads the all-time men's international sixes list, having moved past West Indies great Chris Gayle's previous record. Pakistan's Shahid Afridi, England's Jos Buttler and New Zealand's Brendon McCullum are also among the leading six-hitters in international cricket.
The overall record combines sixes scored in Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). It does not include domestic tournaments or franchise leagues such as the Indian Premier League.
Most Sixes in International Cricket: Top 10
Rank | Player | Team | International sixes |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Rohit Sharma | India | 674 |
2 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 553 |
3 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 476 |
4 | Jos Buttler | England | 418 |
5 | Brendon McCullum | New Zealand | 398 |
6 | Martin Guptill | New Zealand | 383 |
7 | MS Dhoni | India | 359 |
8 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 352 |
9 | Eoin Morgan | England | 346 |
10 | Virat Kohli | India | 335 |
Note: Rohit Sharma, Jos Buttler and Virat Kohli have active international careers or ongoing records in the source list, so their totals may change. Figures should be rechecked against updated scorecards before publication.
1. Rohit Sharma – India
Rohit Sharma sits at the top of the international sixes list, reflecting his remarkable power and consistency across formats. Known for his timing, pull shot and ability to hit straight down the ground, the Indian batter has cleared the boundary hundreds of times throughout his international career.
His six-hitting record has been built primarily through ODI and T20I cricket, although he has also produced memorable sixes in Test matches. Rohit's ability to combine timing with power has made him one of the most dangerous opening batters in modern cricket.
He also holds the men's ODI record for most sixes, making him the leading six-hitter in the fifty-over format.
2. Chris Gayle – West Indies
Chris Gayle was one of the most destructive power hitters in international cricket. The former West Indies opener finished his international career with 553 sixes across Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
Gayle became famous for his enormous hitting range, particularly in limited-overs cricket. His ability to dominate bowlers from the opening overs made him a major threat in international competitions around the world.
Although his international career has ended, his six-hitting achievements remain a benchmark for aggressive batting.
3. Shahid Afridi – Pakistan
Shahid Afridi built his reputation as an attacking batter who could change a match within a few overs. He finished with 476 international sixes, placing him third on the all-time list.
Afridi's fearless approach was particularly effective in ODI cricket, where he often attacked from the beginning of his innings. His powerful hitting and willingness to take risks made him one of Pakistan's most recognisable limited-overs players.
He remains one of the leading six-hitters in international cricket history.
4. Jos Buttler – England
Jos Buttler is among the most powerful active white-ball batters in international cricket. His aggressive stroke play, quick hands and ability to hit pace and spin over the boundary have helped him reach the top five.
Buttler has contributed significantly across ODIs and T20Is, while also recording sixes in Test cricket. His position on the list reflects the impact of modern attacking batting and his long career in England's international teams.
As his career progresses, his total may continue to rise.
5. Brendon McCullum – New Zealand
Brendon McCullum helped change the way New Zealand approached aggressive batting, particularly in limited-overs cricket. He finished his international career with 398 sixes.
McCullum was known for his fearless approach at the top of the order and his ability to attack bowlers from the first delivery. His batting played an important role in New Zealand's rise as a competitive white-ball side.
He remains one of the country's most influential attacking batters.
6. Martin Guptill – New Zealand
Martin Guptill was one of New Zealand's leading six-hitters during his international career, finishing with 383 sixes.
A powerful opener, Guptill could score quickly without sacrificing his ability to build substantial innings. His clean striking was particularly valuable in ODI and T20I cricket, where he frequently took advantage of fielding restrictions.
His record places him among the most prolific international six-hitters of his generation.
7. MS Dhoni – India
MS Dhoni combined finishing ability with remarkable composure under pressure. He retired from international cricket with 359 sixes.
Best known for his powerful hitting in the closing overs of limited-overs matches, Dhoni was capable of clearing the boundary even when bowlers attempted to restrict his scoring options. His contribution extended across ODIs, T20Is and Tests.
His six-hitting record reflects his importance to Indian cricket over more than a decade.
8. Sanath Jayasuriya – Sri Lanka
Sanath Jayasuriya was one of the most influential attacking openers in ODI cricket. He finished his international career with 352 sixes.
Jayasuriya helped redefine opening batting by attacking from the beginning of an innings, particularly during the early overs of ODIs. His aggressive approach put opposition bowlers under immediate pressure and influenced generations of batters.
His position on the all-time list reflects his impact across a long international career.
9. Eoin Morgan – England
Eoin Morgan played a major role in developing England's aggressive white-ball batting style. He finished his international career with 346 sixes.
Morgan was particularly effective in ODI and T20I cricket, using his power and range of strokes to accelerate scoring during the middle and final overs. As captain, he also helped establish an attacking approach that became central to England's limited-overs success.
His record makes him one of England's leading international six-hitters.
10. Virat Kohli – India
Virat Kohli completes this top 10 list with 335 international sixes in the cited record table. While best known for his consistency, running between the wickets and ability to chase targets, Kohli has also developed into a powerful boundary hitter.
His sixes are often part of carefully constructed innings rather than all-out hitting. That balance between control and aggression has helped him remain among the leading run-scorers in international cricket.
Because his ODI career continues, his international sixes tally can increase.
Which Player Has Hit the Most Sixes in International Cricket?
Rohit Sharma leads the men's international record list with 674 sixes in the cited October 2026 figures. Chris Gayle is second with 553, followed by Shahid Afridi with 476.
The list highlights the influence of aggressive batting across different eras. Players such as Jayasuriya and Afridi helped popularise attacking approaches before T20 cricket became a major part of the international calendar, while Rohit and Buttler have continued that tradition in the modern game.
International sixes should also be distinguished from sixes hit in all professional cricket. Totals from leagues such as the IPL, domestic competitions and other franchise tournaments are not included in this record.
As international cricket continues to evolve, the all-time sixes list remains a measure of power, longevity and a batter's ability to clear the boundary against the world's best bowlers.
