Hitting a six might not always need perfect technique or power, but doing it six times in a row demands calmness, focus, strength, technique, and stamina. Only four players have made it to the 6 ball 6 sixes record list in international cricket.
While hitting six sixes in domestic cricket has happened occasionally when the stakes were lower, players like Sir Garfield Sobers, Ravi Shastri, and Thisara Perera have all achieved this in domestic games. However, at the international level, only four batsmen have managed to do it. Two achieved it during bilateral series, while Herschelle Gibbs and Yuvraj Singh accomplished it during World Cup tournaments, cricket’s biggest stage.
Here’s a list of the players who have done it.
6 Ball 6 Sixes Record List (International Cricket)
| No. | Player | Team | Opponent | Tournament | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Herschelle Gibbs | South Africa | Netherlands | T20 World Cup | 2007 |
| 2 | Yuvraj Singh | India | England | T20 World Cup | 2007 |
| 3 | Kieron Pollard | West Indies | Sri Lanka | T20I Series | 2021 |
| 4 | Jaskaran Malhotra | USA | Papua New Guinea | ODI Series | 2021 |
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Herschelle Gibbs vs the Netherlands (2007)
Herschelle Gibbs was the first cricketer to show the world that hitting six sixes in international cricket was possible. Before him, only Sir Garfield Sobers and Ravi Shastri had achieved this feat, but in domestic games. Gibbs did it during the 2007 ODI World Cup against the Netherlands.
The bowler was Van Bunge, delivering the 30th over. Gibbs, already well-set after batting from the first over, knew this was the over to go big. He hit the first ball over long-on, and after that, Van Bunge began to lose his rhythm. Gibbs didn’t stop, smashing six consecutive sixes. Even though the match had been shortened by 10 overs due to rain, Gibbs’ quickfire 70 off 40 balls helped South Africa score a massive 353 for 3.
He was the first to hit six sixes in a row in an ODI, holding the record until 2021.
Yuvraj Singh vs England (2007)
Though Gibbs’ achievement was remarkable, it came against a weaker team. Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes, however, were against a strong England side in the same year, during the 2007 T20 World Cup.
Yuvraj smashed England’s Stuart Broad, who would later become a legendary bowler. At the time, the Indian team had a young squad, with big names rested after a disappointing ODI World Cup. Yuvraj, in stunning form, helped lead India to victory, even earning the Man of the Series award.
Just before the over, Yuvraj had a heated exchange with Andrew Flintoff, and he channeled that anger into hitting Broad’s deliveries for six consecutive sixes. By the end of the 18th over, India was 173/3, and Yuvraj didn’t hold back. He hit sixes all around the ground, with the final one flying over long-on. Yuvraj became the first player to hit six sixes in a T20I, and his record stood until 2021 when Kieron Pollard repeated the feat.
Kieron Pollard vs Sri Lanka (2021)
In 2021, West Indies faced Sri Lanka in a T20I. Sri Lanka posted a modest 131 runs, and their bowlers were hoping to make the most of a tricky pitch. But West Indies started strong, scoring 21 runs in the first over. However, in the fourth over, Akila Dananjaya took a surprising hat-trick.
With the game still uncertain, Kieron Pollard stepped in and destroyed Dananjaya’s momentum by hitting six consecutive sixes in the sixth over. He blasted the ball over long-on, the sight screen, and all around the field. Pollard’s 38 runs from just 11 balls helped West Indies chase down the target in 14 overs.
Jaskaran Malhotra vs Papua New Guinea (2021)
Just months after Pollard’s achievement, USA’s Jaskaran Malhotra joined the list by hitting six sixes against Papua New Guinea in an ODI. Malhotra, originally from Chandigarh, had already reached a century when he took on Gaudi Toka and smashed him for six massive sixes. He ended the match with 173 runs from 124 balls, leading the USA to a dominant victory.
Although big scores are becoming more common in modern cricket, especially in T20s, Yuvraj and Gibbs will always be remembered for their powerful hitting at a time when such feats were much rarer.
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