Six hitting is an art, some batters to do it with class and style while others like to go over the fences with pure strength and power. In One Day International (ODI) cricket, hitting sixes is one of the most exciting moments for both the batsman and the spectators. It is a exhibition of the batsman’s power and skill to clear the boundary rope with ease.
Over the years, many batsmen have displayed their six-hitting abilities in ODI cricket, but only a few have managed to hit the most sixes in a single innings. In this list, we will explore the top batters who have hit the most sixes in an ODI innings, their records, and the matches in which they achieved this feat.
Here is the list of 5 players who hit the most sixes in an ODI innings:
EoinMorgan (ENG), 17, AFG
Rohit Sharma (IND), 16, AUS
AB de Villiers (SA), 16, WI
Chris Gayle (WI), 16, ZIM
Shane Watson (AUS), 15, BAN
Eoin Morgan vs Afghanistan | 17 Sixes | 2019
In the 2019 World Cup match against Afghanistan, England’s captain Eoin Morgan made history by hitting 17 sixes, the most by any player in a single One Day International (ODI) match. Morgan’s incredible performance helped England set a new record for the highest team total in a World Cup match, scoring 397 runs for the loss of 6 wickets.
Morgan’s 148 runs off just 71 balls, which included 4 fours and those 17 sixes, was a masterclass in power-hitting and showed his ability to dominate the opposition. This performance cemented Morgan’s reputation as one of the best limited-overs batsmen in the world and helped England secure a crucial victory on their way to winning their first-ever World Cup title.
Rohit Sharma vs Australia | 16 sixes | 2013
In 2013, Rohit Sharma played a stunning innings, hitting 16 sixes, which was the most by any player in an ODI innings at the time. Sharma’s 209 runs off just 158 balls, which included 12 fours and those 16 sixes, helped India set a mammoth target of 384 runs for Australia.
Rohit is wonderful ball striker, he has the extra time to read the lenth and find the middle of the bat most of the times. Rohit’s innings at Chinnaswamy was a memorable one, he completed his half century in 71 balls, century in 114 balls then kind of shifted gears and scored 109 runs in next 44 balls.
AB de Villiers vs West Indies | 16 sixes | 2015
AB de Villiers smashed 16 sixes in an ODI match against the West Indies at Johannesburg on January 18, 2015. The South African batsman’s incredible innings of 149 off just 44 balls left the opposition bowlers shell-shocked and the crowd in awe. De Villiers’ knock included a flurry of boundaries, with the majority of his runs coming from sixes.
His ability to hit the ball to all parts of the ground was on full display as he effortlessly dispatched the West Indies bowlers over the ropes. The innings remains one of the most memorable in ODI history and it also saw De Villiers hitting fastest century in ODIs.
Chris Gayle vs Zimbabwe | 16 Sixes | 2015
The name of Christopher Henry Gayle should be no suprise in this list. Gayle smashed 16 sixes in an ODI match against Zimbabwe at Canberra on February 24, 2015. Gayle’s innings of 215 runs off just 147 balls was the first double century in World Cup history and helped his team post a mammoth total of 372 runs.
Gayle’s sixes were hit all around the ground, with some of them clearing the boundary by a huge margin like launched from rocket. His innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting and there wasn’t much Zimbabwean bowlers could do about it. Gayle’s record-breaking performance that ended in double ton was second century of the World Cup 2015.
Shane Watson vs Bangladesh | 15 Sixes | Mirpur
Shane Watson’s incredible performance against Bangladesh in an ODI match at Mirpur in 2011 was one for the ages. The Australian all-rounder hit a staggering 15 sixes in 185 runs innings of 96 balls. Watson was in devastating form, punishing the Bangladeshi bowlers with ease. His power hitting was a joy to watch, as he sent the ball soaring over the ropes time and time again.
Australia were in pursuit of 230 but they chased it down in 26 overs, all credit to the maniac like ball striking by Shane Watson. In that match, he also took a wicket and had two catches to his mame. An overall Shane Watson like performance and his innings was highest ODI score at Mirpur.
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Over the years, many batsmen have displayed their six-hitting abilities in ODI cricket, but only a few have managed to hit the most sixes in a single innings. The likes of Eoin Morgan, Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and Martin Guptill, Shane Watson have all registered their names in the record books with their incredible performances.
These players have shown that hitting sixes is not just about power, but also about timing, technique, and mental strength. The ODI game is moving at a rapid pace and sooner we will see some other players taking up the mark and creating new records.
