Cricket fans love sixes. In the One Day International (ODI) World Cup, sixes are special moments — they change the mood of the crowd, shift pressure, and often decide big matches. Over the years some players have become famous for hitting many sixes in World Cups. In this blog I will explain who has hit the most sixes in ODI World Cup history, why these records matter, how the game and conditions helped create them, and a few memorable six-hitting innings. I’ll write this in simple English and keep the tone easy to follow.
Who has hit the most sixes in World Cup history?
As of the latest World Cup tournaments, Rohit Sharma leads the list of players with the most sixes in ODI World Cup history. He reached and passed the long-standing marks during the 2023 World Cup and finished on top of the charts. Rohit’s powerful hitting in the 2019 and 2023 World Cups helped him move ahead of earlier six-hitting stars. (myKhel)
Behind Rohit is Chris Gayle, the big West Indian hitter who shocked fans with his power over many tournaments. Gayle’s World Cup record includes some truly explosive innings, including his famous double century in 2015, which featured a large number of sixes. Other top names in the list include players such as Glenn Maxwell, David Warner and AB de Villiers — all batters known for their aggressive strokeplay. (myKhel)
Numbers are helpful to understand the scale. Several sports sites and records lists show Rohit at the top and Gayle close behind, with the leading players having between about 40 and 60 sixes across their World Cup careers. These totals come from many matches across multiple World Cups, and they reflect consistent power hitting rather than one-off performances. (myKhel)
Why Rohit Sharma’s record matters
Rohit Sharma’s rise to the top is important for a few reasons. First, it shows how modern ODI batting has changed. Batsmen now play with higher strike rates and look to score more boundaries, including sixes. Rohit combined timing, reach, and excellent shot selection with a positive mindset, which helped him clear ropes often in World Cup matches.
Second, Rohit performed this way in high-pressure tournament games. Hitting sixes in a World Cup is not the same as in a bilateral series — the crowd, the stakes, and the quality of bowling are often higher. When a player consistently clears the boundary in the World Cup, it shows that the player can do it when it matters most. These factors made Rohit’s six-hitting achievements stand out during the 2019 and 2023 World Cups. (myKhel)
A look at Chris Gayle and other big hitters
Chris Gayle is a classic example of a player built for power hitting. Gayle’s style is naturally aggressive. He could hit long sixes from poor ball length and he used his size and timing to maximum effect. Gayle’s innings of 215 in the 2015 World Cup is one of the most memorable. In that match he hit many sixes and set the tone for modern power hitting in ODI cricket. (TIME)
Glenn Maxwell and David Warner are also on the list of top six-hitters in World Cups. Maxwell is known for improvisation and hitting to all parts of the ground, while Warner builds strong starts and then accelerates with big hits. AB de Villiers deserves a special mention too — his inventiveness and timing allowed him to hit large numbers of sixes in limited opportunities. These players show different ways to reach the same result: clearing the ropes frequently in top tournaments. (myKhel)
Most sixes in a single World Cup edition
Apart from career totals across many World Cups, there is interest in who hit the most sixes in a single edition of the World Cup. The record for the most sixes in one World Cup edition was set recently, and Rohit Sharma put up a huge number in the 2023 tournament. Chris Gayle also had a brilliant single-edition total earlier, and Eoin Morgan and Glenn Maxwell have had strong single-edition tallies too. These single-tournament numbers show how a batsman can dominate an entire event with consistent big hitting. (Facebook)
How pitches and modern cricket helped sixes increase
Several reasons explain why six records have risen in recent World Cups:
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Batsman approach: Modern coaching and fitness have encouraged more attacking play. Players are trained to clear the rope with power and technique.
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Bat technology and training: Bats are stronger and hitters train specifically for power hitting.
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Fielding restrictions and rules: Powerplays and field placements can help open up the middle overs for big shots.
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Ground sizes and stadiums: Some grounds are shorter, and players use this to their advantage.
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T20 influence: The rise of T20 cricket taught batsmen to play explosive innings, and those skills moved into ODI matches.
All these factors work together. A modern ODI batsman who plays in multiple World Cups will likely hit more sixes than a player from earlier decades who played fewer tournaments or with a more conservative approach. (Cricbuzz)
Memorable six-hitting innings in World Cup history
Many World Cup innings are remembered for the number and quality of sixes. A few examples:
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Chris Gayle (2015 vs Zimbabwe): Gayle’s 215 included many big sixes and reshaped what big scoring in a World Cup could look like. That innings remains a classic example of power and patience. (TIME)
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Rohit Sharma (2019 & 2023 performances): Rohit’s ability to hit long sixes repeatedly across matches and across tournaments helped him climb to the top of the most-sixes list. His stroke-making in key games made a real difference for his team. (myKhel)
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Glenn Maxwell (2023 and other games): Maxwell’s unconventional shots and fearless batting have led to fast, six-heavy innings that swung games in Australia’s favor. His ability to find gaps and hit over fielders makes him a constant six threat. (myKhel)
These innings are not just statistics. They also show how different players use different skills to reach the same goal: hitting sixes to score quickly and put pressure on the opponent.
Team records for sixes in a World Cup
It isn’t only individual records that interest fans. Teams also compete to hit the most sixes in a single tournament. Some teams, when their batters click together, can hit many sixes across matches. England and India have had World Cup editions where they led the tournament in team sixes. The team total depends on multiple players contributing, not just one star. When several players hit sixes regularly, the team’s batting becomes very hard to stop. (myKhel)
Are sixes the only way to win?
While sixes can change a game quickly, consistent batting, smart running between the wickets, building partnerships, and good bowling are all equally important in World Cups. A team that only focuses on hitting sixes without building partnerships can fail. Some World Cup winners have relied on steady scoring, strong defense, and smart tactics rather than only on hitting sixes. So sixes are exciting and useful, but they are one part of a bigger picture in tournament cricket. (Wikipedia)
What the future might hold
Looking ahead, expect six totals in World Cups to keep rising, but maybe not dramatically. As bowlers learn new tactics and captaincy becomes smarter, it will not be easy for batters to keep smashing sixes at will. Also, new formats and fitness programs will produce more big hitters. Young players like those who came through T20 leagues will likely continue to make six-heavy contributions in future World Cups. The record books will keep changing, and new names will climb the six-hitters list. (ESPN Cricinfo)
Quick summary
To finish simply:
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Rohit Sharma holds the top spot for most sixes in ODI World Cup history after strong performances in recent tournaments. (myKhel)
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Chris Gayle is a close second and remains one of the most powerful World Cup hitters, famous for innings like his 215 in 2015. (TIME)
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Other big hitters such as Glenn Maxwell, David Warner and AB de Villiers also appear high on the list. (myKhel)
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Team totals, pitch conditions, and modern batting styles all helped six numbers rise in recent World Cups.