Top 5 batsmen with most sixes in ODI cricket

One-day cricket has evolved over the years. From a time when 250 was considered a match-winning score and getting to 300 a massive achievement, to the present era where 350-plus is more of a norm than an exception, things have changed drastically in the ODI format.

Along with the massive scores, strike rates of batsmen have also been on the ascendancy. Till the early 2000s, batsmen were mostly striking in the 70s and 80s. But such a strike rate would be ineffective in today’s times. With the IPL and other T20 tournaments around, batsmen have started scoring quicker in ODIs as well.

With three slots of powerplays in place, batsmen have the freedom to go after the bowling for an elongated period of time. Simultaneously, there has been a rise in the number of sixes being hit in ODI games.

In this feature, we take a look at the top 5 batsmen with most sixes in ODI cricket.

#5 MS Dhoni

The former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is at number five in the list with 229 sixes to his name.

Dhoni may not be a consistently big hitter these days, but on the rare occasions that he hits them hard, they still stay hit. There was a time in international cricket when he was among the most feared batsmen in the world owing to his ability to hit monstrous sixes on a frequent basis.

Dhoni has so far played exactly 350 ODIs in which he has amassed 10,773 at an average of 50.57 with 10 hundreds and 73 fifties, with a strike rate that is on the wane - 87.56. Currently, the Chennai Super Kings captain is in the news for being away from international cricket without announcing retirement.

There have been mixed views from former cricketers and experts over Dhoni’s impending retirement. The man himself has been maintaining a stoic silence.

Also see – World Test Championship points table