Hitting six sixes in an over is one of the most iconic achievements in cricket. It’s rare, it’s thrilling, and it instantly becomes a part of cricketing folklore. Not every batter has the fearless mindset to go after every ball, and not every bowler has the misfortune of being on the receiving end. Only a select group of players across formats and generations have managed to smash six deliveries out of the park in one single over.
From the legendary Sir Garfield Sobers to the powerful Jaskaran Malhotra, here’s a detailed, simple, and engaging look at the 10 players who etched their names in cricket history by hitting six sixes in an over.
1. Sir Garfield Sobers (1968)
Sir Gary Sobers was the first man ever to achieve this miracle. Playing for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan, he tore into bowler Malcolm Nash with raw, effortless power. This was long before modern bats, power-hitting coaches, or flat pitches. Sobers’ six sixes were pure talent and clean striking. It was a moment that redefined possibilities in cricket and inspired future generations.
2. Ravi Shastri (1985)
Seventeen years later, Ravi Shastri matched Sobers’ record in a Ranji Trophy match for Bombay. Known for his all-round ability, Shastri went after Baroda’s Tilak Raj and sent all six balls over the rope. For Indian cricket, this was a massive headline moment. It showcased that Indian batters could be just as fearless and powerful as anyone else.
3. Herschelle Gibbs (2007)
Herschelle Gibbs became the first player to hit six sixes in an over in an ODI. It happened during the 2007 World Cup against the Netherlands’ Daan van Bunge. Gibbs’ clean, effortless hitting shocked the world. This wasn’t a domestic match or a lower-level game — this was the World Cup, the biggest stage of all. That made it even more special.
ALSO READ: Six Cricketers Who Played Just One IPL Match
4. Yuvraj Singh (2007)
If there is one instance of six sixes that fans remember the most, it’s Yuvraj Singh’s assault on Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup. After an angry exchange with Andrew Flintoff, Yuvraj walked into beast mode and smashed six towering sixes in an over. This moment became a part of pop culture, not just cricket. It remains one of the most replayed clips in sports history.
5. Ross Whiteley (2017)
In the English T20 Blast, Ross Whiteley joined the elite club by hammering spinner Karl Carver. What stood out was Whiteley’s raw strength — every hit was clean, long, and fearless. It was another reminder of how T20 cricket has changed batting forever.
6. Hazratullah Zazai (2018)
Hazratullah Zazai smashed six sixes in the Afghanistan Premier League, announcing himself as one of the most explosive young batters in world cricket. His ball-striking ability reflected the rapid rise of Afghan cricket. Every shot was hit with absolute authority.
7. Leo Carter (2020)
Leo Carter, playing for Canterbury in New Zealand’s Super Smash, destroyed Anton Devcich with six consecutive sixes. What made this surprising was Carter’s calm personality — not a typical power hitter, yet he produced one of the most unforgettable overs in league history.
8. Kieron Pollard (2021)
Kieron Pollard became only the second player after Yuvraj to hit six sixes in an international T20. He did it against Sri Lanka’s Akila Dananjaya, who ironically had taken a hat-trick just a few balls earlier. Pollard’s hitting was brutal, fearless, and full of West Indian flair. When Pollard gets going, bowlers have nowhere to hide.
9. Jaskaran Malhotra (2021)
Jaskaran Malhotra etched his name in cricket history by smashing six sixes in an ODI against Papua New Guinea. He also went on to score a stunning 173*, the highest ODI score by an American cricketer. His performance put USA cricket firmly on the global map and showed that talent can come from anywhere.
10. Ruturaj Gaikwad (2022)
Ruturaj Gaikwad didn’t just hit six — he hit seven sixes in an over during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, thanks to a no-ball. His timing, elegance, and calm approach made this achievement even more beautiful. Ruturaj proved that modern batting isn’t just about strength; it’s about precision and class.
Players who hit six sixes in an over:
| No. | Player | Team | Opponent | Tournament | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sir Gary Sobers | Nottinghamshire | Glamorgan | County Championship | 1968 |
| 2 | Ravi Shastri | Bombay | Baroda | Ranji Trophy | 1985 |
| 3 | Herschelle Gibbs | South Africa | Netherlands | T20 World Cup | 2007 |
| 4 | Yuvraj Singh | India | England | T20 World Cup | 2007 |
| 5 | Ross Whitely | Worcestershire Rapid | Yorkshire Vikings | T20 Blast | 2017 |
| 6 | Hazratullah Zazai | Kabul Zwanan | Balkh Legends | Afghanistan Premier League | 2018 |
| 7 | Leo Carter | Canterbury Kings | Northern Knights | Super Smash | 2020 |
| 8 | Kieron Pollard | West Indies | Sri Lanka | T20I series | 2021 |
| 9 | Thisara Perera | Sri Lanka Army Sports CC | Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club | Major Clubs Limited Over List A Tournament | 2021 |
| 10 | Jaskaran Malhotra | USA | Papua New Guinea | ODI Series | 2021 |
