The ODI World Cup is the most desirable cricket event in the world. ICC organizes the 50 over World Cup every four years and hence it makes this format of the World Cup more eloquent. From stroke players to hard hitters, every individual has over the years participated in the iconic World Cup. Batters do not only take singles but at times try to hit each and every ball in the fence. Earlier, ODI cricket was slow however, after the inception of T20 cricket the format, emphasized on Strike Rate. To date, 12 ODI World Cups have been played across the globe. Let’s learn about the players with the most sixes in the ODI World Cup.
Chris Gayle
The greatest ODI batsman of the West Indies, Chris Gayle leads the chart for hitting the most sixes in ODI World Cup. Gayle represented West Indies in 35 World Cup matches and slogged 49 sixes in the event. The batting stalwart made 1186 runs at a decent average of 35.93 in his outings. Gayle used to hit the ball so hard that the bowlers would get damaged mentally.
Rohit Sharma
One of the most dynamite openers to play in the event, Indian opener Rohit Sharma has made an epic stride on this elite list during the 2023 World Cup in India. Before the start of the 13th edition of 50 Over WC, Rohit had only 21 sixes in his cabinet but now he has added 22 more and made the tally to 40 with his effortless and gigantic sixes in just 22 games. He smashes sixes against quality pacers and spinners both equally with ease.
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AB DE Villiers
Former South African great who is known as “Mr.360” for his outrageous batting, AB DE Villiers finds himself in the 3rd spot on the elite list of most sixes in the ODI World Cup. The veteran batter smashed 37 sixes in 23 games in the competition which aided his 1207 World Cup runs tally. He inflicted carnage on the bowlers whenever he wanted and emerged as the standout batsman for his team frequently.
David Warner
The 4th spot on this honorable chart of most sixes in the World Cup features Aussie batter David Warner. The Swashbuckling batter smacked 36 sixes in 24 games in this marquee tournament. He has had a superb ODI World Cup career with 1405 runs at a stunning strike rate of 101.95. Despite having a good World Cup with the bat, Warner failed to lift the trophy in 2019 following the miserable defeat against England.
Ricky Ponting
The 2 times World Cup-winning skipper, a nightmare for the bowlers, Ricky Ponting gets the 6th position on the most sixes in the World Cup tally with 31 sixes. Having played in 46 matches in 5 World Cups (1996-2011), Ponting clobbered 31 sixes with 1743 runs in his name, which is 2nd most by any batsman in World Cup history. The charismatic batsman often led his team with his sensational batting and his sixes were the result of sweet timing and a bit of power.
Herschelle Gibbs
One of the irrefutable names among the South African greats, Hershelle Gibbs whacked 28 sixes on 25 occasions, which is the 8th most sixes in the World Cup by a batsman. Gibbs played 4 World Cups for the Proteas between 1999 to 2011 and accumulated 1067 runs in 25 outings at an impressive average of 56.15
List of Most Sixes in World Cup History
| Player | Matches | Innings | Sixes |
| C Gayle (WI) | 35 | 34 | 49 |
| R Sharma (IND) | 23 | 23 | 43 |
| AB De Villiers (SA) | 23 | 22 | 37 |
| D Warner (AUS) | 24 | 24 | 36 |
| G Maxwell (AUS) | 24 | 22 | 33 |
| R Ponting (AUS) | 46 | 42 | 31 |
| B McCullum (NZ) | 34 | 27 | 29 |
| H Gibbs (SA) | 25 | 23 | 28 |
| S Tendulkar (IND) | 45 | 44 | 27 |
| S Jayasuriya (SL) | 38 | 37 | 27 |
| E Morgan (ENG) | 29 | 27 | 26 |
| D Miller (SA) | 20 | 17 | 25 |
| S Ganguly (IND) | 21 | 21 | 25 |
| A Finch (AUS) | 18 | 18 | 24 |
| M Guptill (NZ) | 27 | 27 | 24 |
Rohit Sharma has hit the most sixes in the ODI World Cup among Indians (43).
Chris Gayle smashed the most sixes in World Cup history, 49.
Chris Gayle smacked the most sixes in the 2015 World Cup (26).
Rohit Sharma has whacked the most sixes in the 2023 World Cup (20).
Senior Cricket Content Editor at Skyblogs Cricket.
Contact me at info@skyblogs.in
