The Indian cricket team got off to a winning start in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Team India beat Ireland (Group A) by eight wickets in New York. Skipper Rohit Sharma led from the front. Rohit, who is known for his ability to smack mighty maximums, became the first player to smoke 600 sixes in international cricket (Tests, ODIs, T20Is). Rohit attained the milestone with his 3rd six against Ireland. The veteran batter hit a clutch 52 from 37 balls but was forced to retire hurt after being hit on the arm earlier in his innings. With a clash against Pakistan on Sunday, India didn’t take any risk.
Rohit is known for his six-hitting prowess. He is the only Indian with 500-plus sixes in T20s. He owns the most sixes in T20I history and the second-most sixes in the Indian Premier League. He has been one of the best in business to find the rope with his shot-making.
India, who completed a massive win, saw Ireland get folded for 96 in 16 overs. The Indian bowlers dominated the show, with Hardik Pandya claiming a three-wicket haul. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah was adjudged Man of the Match for his 2/16. Rohit handled his bowlers well, and they responded strongly. In response, Rohit scored a good-looking 52. He shared a fine stand alongside Rishabh Pant, who scored 36*.
Rohit also registered several records. He became India’s most successful skipper in T20Is, surpassing MS Dhoni. He also got past 4000 T20I runs, becoming the third player to do so after Virat Kohli and Babar Azam. He also surpassed 1000 T20 World Cup runs, becoming the third player after Kohli and Mahela Jayawardene.
Here, we analyse players with the most sixes in international cricket.
Rohit Sharma – 600 sixes
Rohit Sharma owns 600 sixes from 473 matches across the three formats. His tally includes 193 sixes in T20Is (highest), 84 sixes in Test cricket and 323 in ODIs. Rohit has raced to 18878 runs in international cricket at 43.48. He owns 102 fifties and 48 tons. Notably, Rohit owns a total of 4026 runs from 152 T20I matches (144 innings) at an average of 32.20 (100s: 5, 50s: 30). Rohit is nearing 200 sixes. He owns 1015 runs in T20 World Cup history.
Chris Gayle – 553 sixes
Former West Indies legend Chris Gayle is the only other player to smash 500-plus sixes in international cricket. Gayle hit a total of 553 sixes from 483 matches. 124 of Gayle’s sixes came in T20Is for West Indies. He also smashed 98 sixes in Test cricket and another 331 in ODIs. Gayle finished his international career with a tally of 19593 runs. He hit 42 tons and 105 fifties. Gayle hit 1899 runs for the Windies in T20Is. Overall, Gayle owns the most sixes in T20 history. He is the only player with 1000-plus sixes (1056).
Shahid Afridi – 476 sixes
Former Pakistan stalwart Shahid Afridi hit a total of 476 sixes in international cricket. He is the third player in history with 400-plus sixes across internationals. Afridi managed 73 sixes in T20Is. He also hit 351 sixes in ODIs and 52 maximums in Test cricket. Having played over 500 matches, Afridi clobbered 11196 runs in international cricket. He hit 51 fifties and 11 tons. Afridi smashed 1416 runs in T20Is for Pakistan. Overall, the dashing all-rounder finished with 252 sixes in T20 cricket.
Brendon McCullum – 398 sixes
Former New Zealand ace Brendon McCullum made his presence felt with 398 sixes in international cricket. McCullum hit 107 sixes in Test cricket. He also clobbered 200 sixes in ODI cricket and another 91 in T20s for the Black Caps. Overall, McCullum featured in 432 matches across formats, scoring 14676 runs. He hit 19 tons and 76 fifties. McCullum smashed 2140 runs in T20Is. Overall, the Kiwi aggressor hit 485 sixes in T20 cricket.
Martin Guptill – 383 sixes
Another New Zealander is on this list of most international sixes. Martin Guptill completes the top 5 with a total of 383 sixes across formats. He smothered 173 sixes in T20Is (second-highest). Guptill also managed 187 sixes in ODIs and 23 sixes in the longest format for Black Caps. Guptill played 367 international matches and scored 13463 runs. He hit 23 centuries and 46 fifties. Notably, the opener smashed 3500-plus runs in T20Is. Overall in T20 cricket, Guptill smoked 439 sixes (15th-highest among batters).
MS Dhoni – 359 sixes
MS Dhoni hit a total of 359 international sixes. The former Indian skipper hit 52 maximums in T20Is, 229 maximums in ODIs and another 78 sixes in Tests. Dhoni played 538 internationals and scored 17266 runs. He hit 108 fifties and 16 tons. Dhoni managed 1617 runs in T20Is. Overall in T20s, Dhoni has mustered 338 sixes.