Most Sixes in a Calendar Year in ODIs

When ODI cricket was invented in 1971, hitting fours was normal and players had to rely on it to win games or put up a strong total on board. But with time cricket has changed a lot and nowadays slamming sixes is a necessity as the game has taken a turn in the batsmen’s favor with the pitch helping them in abundance. There are two kinds of players in cricket,- anchor players and power-hitters. Mostly, power hitters tend to go big in every ball and proceed their way. This article will lead you to the batsmen with the most sixes in a calendar year in ODIs.

Rohit Sharma

Current Indian skipper Rohit Sharma tops the list of most sixes in a calendar year in ODIs. He has hit a staggering 67 sixes so far playing 27 games in 2023. Along with that, the veteran opener is also the 3rd highest run-getter in that year with 1255 runs, averaging a dashing 52.52. The three-time double-century scorer uses only timing to send the ball over the ropes alongside a bit of strength irrespective of pacers or spinners. 

AB DE Villiers 

One of the greatest strikers of the ball, AB DE Villiers had a year to remember in the 50-over format in 2015 and scored 1193 runs in 20 matches at a stunning average of 79.53. To support his massive runs tally, he smashed 58 maximums with his typical style. 

Chris Gayle

One of the hardest hitters of all time, Caribbean legend Chris Gayle was prominent for his exploits to take the bowler to the cleaners. In the last year of his ODI career, the Southpaw displayed phenomenal batting shows, smacking 56 sixes, the 3rd most by any batter in ODIs in a calendar year. 

Shahid Afridi 

Former Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi never changed his antics of attacking the bowlers to send the ball into the stands. The flamboyant batsman whacked 48 sixes in 2002 which was a record for most sixes in a calendar year in ODIs for 13 years until AB shattered it in 2015. He amassed 743 runs in 37 games and 288 runs out of that came in sixes only. 

List of Most Sixes in a Calendar Year in ODIs

Player	Country	Sixes	Year
Rohit Sharma	India	67	2023
AB DE Villiers	South Africa	58	2015
Chris Gayle	West Indies	56	2019
Shahid Afridi	Pakistan	48	2002
Muhammed Waseem	UAE	47	2023
Rohit Sharma	India	46	2017