Cricket, a sport defined by skill, strategy, and moments of sheer brilliance, is currently witnessing a phenomenon in the form of Rohit Sharma.
The Top of the Charts: Top 5 Batsmen with the Most ODI Sixes in a Calendar Year
1. Rohit Sharma (India): Captain Hitman Breaking World Cup Records
Rohit Sharma has firmly planted his flag at the summit of the ODI Sixes mountain for the calendar year 2023. This achievement, surpassing the previous record set by AB de Villiers with 58 sixes eight years ago in 2015, adds a layer of historical significance to Rohit’s already illustrious career.
Presented Below are the 5 Cricketers Who Have Hit the Highest Number of Sixes in One Day Internationals (ODIs) Within a Single Calendar Year:
| S. No. | Name (Country) | Year | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rohit Sharma (IND) | 2023 | 60* |
| 2 | AB de Villiers (SA) | 2015 | 58 |
| 3 | Chris Gayle (WI) | 2019 | 56 |
| 4 | Shahid Afridi (PAK) | 2002 | 48 |
| 5 | Muhammad Wasim (UAE) | 2023 | 47* |
In the ongoing ODI World Cup, Rohit has not only been steering his team towards victory but has also redefined the role of a captain with the most sixes in a single World Cup edition. His tally of 23 sixes in 2023 has surpassed the previous record held by England’s Eoin Morgan, who hit 22 sixes in the 2019 World Cup. Rohit’s captaincy isn’t just strategic; it’s a show of unparalleled aggression and intent.
| S. No. | Name (Country) | Year | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rohit Sharma (IND) | 2023 | 24* |
| 2 | Eoin Morgan (ENG) | 2019 | 22 |
| 3 | AB de Villiers (SA) | 2015 | 21 |
| 4 | Aaron Finch (AUS) | 2019 | 18 |
| 5 | Brendon McCullum (NZ) | 2015 | 17 |
Chasing Legends: The Quest for World Cup Sixes
As if breaking records on a yearly basis wasn’t enough, Rohit Sharma is on the verge of eclipsing yet another luminary in the cricketing world. With 47 sixes in the World Cup, he stands just three shy of surpassing the mighty Chris Gayle, who set the record at 49 sixes. In a career that spans 23 innings, Rohit’s pursuit of greatness is evident, taking five more innings than de Villiers to reach this monumental milestone. The chase for this record isn’t just about numbers; it’s about solidifying his place in the pantheon of cricketing legends.
2. AB de Villiers (South Africa): Mr. 360 Degree’s Smashing 2015
AB de Villiers held the illustrious title of the world record for the most ODI sixes, showcasing his ability to clear the boundary ropes with remarkable ease. Rewind the clock eight years to 2015, and de Villiers had set the cricketing world ablaze with his 58 sixes, a testament to his explosive batting prowess. Rohit Sharma, the Indian batting maestro, orchestrated a breathtaking performance in the 2023 World Cup against Netherlands. On Sunday, Rohit Sharma surpassed de Villiers’ record, smashing an awe-inspiring 60 sixes, thereby dethroning the South African legend and etching his own name in the annals of cricketing history.
Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, the cricket maestro from South Africa, has left an indelible mark on the international cricket scene. Born on February 17, 1984, AB de Villiers is not just a former cricketer; he’s a cricketing sensation and a current voice in the commentary box. Over a span of 15 years in his career, he has accumulated a plethora of achievements, earning the prestigious title of the ICC ODI Player of the Year on three separate occasions.
A batting virtuoso, de Villiers is hailed as one of the greatest cricketers in the sport’s history, holding the title of the best batsman of his era. His journey began as a wicket-keeper-batsman, but his prowess with the bat saw him predominantly taking on the role of a pure batsman. Positioned strategically in the middle-order, de Villiers’ unorthodox and destructive style of play, especially behind the wicketkeeper, has mesmerized cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
Making his mark in Test cricket against England in 2004, de Villiers swiftly transitioned to One Day Internationals (ODIs) in 2005, and his debut in Twenty20 International cricket followed in 2006. Boasting over 8,000 runs in both Test and ODI formats, he stands among the elite few with a batting average exceeding fifty in both.
A dynamic force in limited-overs cricket, de Villiers is known for his attacking style, a trait that earned him the record for the fastest ODI century in just 31 balls. He bid farewell to international cricket in May 2018.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket – South Africa vs Australia – Second Test – St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa – March 10, 2018. South Africa AB de Villiers plays a shot. REUTERS/Mike Hutching
However, the cricketing world was abuzz with speculation when, in January 2020, de Villiers expressed interest in a comeback for the 2020 T20 World Cup. The excitement, though, was short-lived, as later that year, he confirmed that he wouldn’t be making a return. Finally, on November 19, 2021, AB de Villiers officially declared his retirement from all forms of cricket, leaving fans with a treasure trove of memories from a remarkable career.
3. Chris Gayle (West Indies): The Universe Boss
Chris Gayle’s legacy in limited-overs cricket extends to his remarkable prowess in hitting sixes. In 2019, he made a historic mark by hitting an impressive 56 sixes in ODIs, clinching the third-highest position for most sixes in a single year and cementing his place in the record books. This achievement places him in elite company, trailing only behind the formidable Rohit Sharma and AB de Villiers.
Christopher Henry Gayle, born on 21 September 1979, is a Jamaican cricketer with a storied international career representing the West Indies since 1999. Known by the moniker “The Universe Boss,” Gayle stands as one of the greatest and most formidable Twenty20 batsmen, earning acclaim as possibly the best ever in the format. His impactful contributions were pivotal to the West Indies’ triumphs in the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy, 2012 ICC World Twenty20, and 2016 ICC World Twenty20. Gayle’s prowess extends beyond T20s, showcasing his excellence in ODIs and Tests.
Setting numerous records across all formats, Gayle holds the distinction of being the most capped player for the West Indies in international cricket. Exceptionally, he accomplished a rare feat of scoring centuries in all three formats—a triple hundred in Tests, a double hundred in ODIs, and a hundred in T20Is. Gayle is the sole player to amass over 14,000 runs and hit more than 1,000 sixes in T20 cricket.
Leading the run charts for West Indies in ODIs and T20Is, he, alongside Brian Lara, is one of the few to surpass 10,000 runs in ODI cricket for the team. Gayle’s monumental innings, such as the first West Indian double-century in ODIs (215 against Zimbabwe), make him a trailblazer in cricket history.
Beyond his batting prowess, Gayle’s right-arm off-break spin bowling has garnered over 200 international wickets. Recognized as the Most Valuable Player in the 2011 Indian Premier League and holder of the Orange Cap in 2012, Gayle has consistently pushed boundaries. His extraordinary innings of 175 runs from 66 balls for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL not only established the record for the fastest T20 hundred but also marked the highest T20 score in the history of the game. Notably, he shares the record for the fastest 50 in T20 cricket while playing for Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League.
In Test cricket, Gayle boasts over 7,000 runs at an average of over 42 and captained the West Indian Test side from 2007 to 2010. Despite initially expressing a desire to retire from ODIs after the 2019 Cricket World Cup, Gayle continued to don the West Indies jersey in ODIs, marking his final appearance in August 2019. His cricketing legacy was further acknowledged when he was included in the ICC T20I Team of the Decade in December 2020.
4. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan): Boom Boom Afridi
Shahid Afridi’s hit 48 sixes in ODIs in the year 2002. During that prolific season, Afridi left an indelible mark by launching an impressive 48 sixes in ODIs, securing the fourth-highest position in a single year for most ODI sixes. This accomplishment places him in esteemed company, following the likes of Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle.
Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi, born on the 1st of March 1977, is an ex-Pakistani cricketer who had the honour of captaining the Pakistan national cricket team. Afridi was a right-handed leg spinner and a right-handed batsman.
Following the retirement of Younis Khan, Afridi took over as the captain of the T20I team in 2009. He was appointed Pakistan’s ODI captain in 2010 but faced challenges and was eventually removed as captain in 2011. Afridi’s leadership extended to the 2011 Cricket World Cup, where Pakistan reached the semi-finals. Shahid Afridi retired from ODI cricket in 2015 and subsequently stepped down from T20 captaincy after Pakistan’s exit in the 2016 T20 World Cup following the group stage.
Afridi’s contributions to the game went beyond the field as he engaged in charitable endeavours. He founded the Shahid Afridi Foundation, dedicated to providing education and healthcare facilities. Collaborating with UNICEF, he actively promoted the anti-polio campaign in Pakistan. During the 2019 Coronavirus pandemic, Afridi played a crucial role in aiding people in Balochistan during the lockdown, which unfortunately led to his contraction of COVID-19 on 13 June 2020. His philanthropic efforts were acknowledged when he was nominated among the top 20 most charitable athletes in 2015.
5. Muhammad Wasim (UAE): Babba
Muhammad Waseem etched his name in the record books for his remarkable power-hitting. In 2023, Waseem exhibited his prowess by launching an impressive 47 sixes in ODIs, securing the fifth-highest position in a single year. This places him in an illustrious club, following the likes of Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and Shahid Afridi. As he trails closely behind Afridi, there’s a growing anticipation that Waseem could soon surpass the legendary cricketer’s record, given his remarkable consistency in clearing the boundaries.
What sets Waseem apart is his relatively unknown status in comparison to the cricketing stalwarts on this list. While names like Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and Shahid Afridi are household names in the cricketing world, Waseem has quietly entered the elite ranks without the widespread recognition that often accompanies such feats. As he continues to make strides in his career, Muhammad Waseem’s name is likely to resonate more prominently in cricketing circles, marking the emergence of a promising talent on the global stage.
Muhammad Waseem, born on 12 February 1996, is a cricketer hailing from Pakistan and currently representing the United Arab Emirates national cricket team. Raised in the city of Mian Channu in Punjab, Pakistan, he is affectionately known by the nickname “Bubba.” In April 2021, Waseem became eligible to play for the UAE after meeting the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) three-year residency requirements.
Waseem made headlines on 3 February 2021 during the 2021 T10 League when he equalled the record for the fastest fifty in a T10 cricket match, achieving the feat in just twelve balls. His exceptional performance caught the attention of the Multan Sultans, and in May 2021, he was drafted into their squad as a replacement player for the 2021 Pakistan Super League.
In October 2021, Waseem earned a spot in the UAE’s Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for the 2021 Summer T20 Bash tournament, making his T20I debut on 5 October 2021, against Namibia. In a match against Ireland, Waseem notched his first century in T20I cricket, scoring an impressive 107 not out from 62 balls five days later.
His cricketing journey continued in November 2021 when he was selected for the UAE’s One Day International (ODI) squad for the 2021 Namibia Tri-Nation Series. In February 2022, Waseem made his ODI debut for the UAE against Oman.
The pinnacle of Waseem’s career came in March 2023 when he was appointed captain of the UAE, stepping into the role during the final match of the 2023 United Arab Emirates Tri-Nation Series, replacing CP Rizwan. His first full series as captain was the Nepal Tri-Nation Series, which marked the conclusion of the 2019–2023 ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 for the UAE.
During this series, Waseem showcased his batting prowess by scoring his maiden ODI century against Papua New Guinea, amassing 119 runs from 76 balls, including twelve sixes. While setting a new UAE record for the fastest ODI century, his achievement was surpassed the following day by Asif Khan’s remarkable 41-ball century.
<strong>Which Batsman has the Most ODI Sixes in a Calendar Year?</strong>
Rohit Sharma has the Most ODI Sixes in a Calendar Year.
