That Goes into the Night Sky | Top 10 Longest Six in Cricket History
Yuvraj Singh is renowned for his iconic six sixes in an over off England's Stuart Broad
The thunderous roar of the crowd, the palpable tension in the air, and the sheer adrenaline rush of watching a ball sail into the stands – it's an experience unlike any other. As the game of cricket has progressed, the art of hitting sixes has taken on a life of its own, and with every passing year, the players seem to smash the ball harder and farther than ever before.
In this article, we will be taking a look at the top 10 longest sixes ever hit in international cricket. From the towering sixes that have shattered scoreboards to the ones that have cleared entire stadiums, we have it all mentioned in the listicle.
As we delve deeper into the list, let’s take a look at some of the greatest names in cricket history, including the likes of Chris Gayle, Shahid Afridi, and MS Dhoni. These power hitters have etched their names in the annals of cricketing folklore with their unbridled strength and accuracy.
Here’s a look at top 10 longest sixes in international cricketing history.
#10 Chris Gayle: 116 metres
Chris Gayle is one of the most fierce hitters the games has seen (ICC Twitter)
When it comes to T20 cricket, Chris Gayle and sixes go together like peas in a pod. Known as the 'Universe Boss', the dynamic opener has mesmerized fans with his thunderous hits. But Gayle's T20 supremacy wasn't limited to franchise cricket – he was also a valuable asset to the West Indies T20 team. During a World T20 match against India in 2010, Gayle smashed a Yusuf Pathan delivery for a jaw-dropping 116 metres.
#9 Shahid Afridi: 118 metres
Shahid Afridi is the solitary batsman to feature twice in this list (ICC Twitter)
Shahid Afridi's legendary six-hitting prowess was on display against Australia in an ODI in 2005. The Pakistan veteran smashed a mammoth 118-meter six against the formidable Australian bowlers in the game. Afridi's bat was on fire that day, dispatching many deliveries beyond the boundary rope with ease. But it was this particular shot that etched his name in the annals of cricketing history for the second time.
#8 MS Dhoni: 118 metres
MS Dhoni's six hitting ability is second to none (ICC Twitter)
MS Dhoni, the former Indian captain known for his incredible chasing abilities and effortless sixes, has secured the eighth spot on this list with a 118-meter monster six. The legendary wicket keeper-batsman’s trademark short-arm jabs were on full display during the ODI against New Zealand in 2009, culminating in a stunning shot on the last ball of the 44th over. The ball soared off his bat, landing in the middle of the ecstatic crowd for a thrilling maximum.
#7 Yuvraj Singh: 119 metres
Yuvraj Singh redefined power-hitting with his magnificent maximums (ICC Twitter)
Yuvraj Singh's name still reigns supreme in the annals of cricketing history, thanks to his exceptional six-hitting skills in white-ball cricket. His incredible abilities have secured him the seventh spot on this illustrious list. The former all-rounder's moment of glory came during the 2007 World T20 match against Australia, where he displayed his formidable left-handed mastery with the willow. The southpaw unleashed a blistering assault on the Aussie bowlers, with one shot, in particular, traveling an astonishing 119 meters off the menacing Brett Lee.
#6 Mark Waugh: 120 metres
Mark Waugh, a scion of Australia's legendary cricketing dynasty, etched his name in history with a colossal six that travelled a staggering distance of 120 meters. In an era where even hitting boundaries was a daunting task, it took someone of Waugh's caliber to achieve the unimaginable. During a Test match against arch-rivals New Zealand in 1997, the Aussie veteran unleashed his power on a Daniel Vettori delivery, smashing it for an awe-inspiring maximum.
#5 Corey Anderson: 122 metres
Corey Anderson enthralled the cricketing community with his power-hitting (ICC Twitter)
Corey Anderson, renowned for his prodigious six-hitting ability, set tongues wagging when he unleashed a colossal six during a One Day International match against India in 2014. The ball, delivered by Indian speedster Mohammed Shami, soared an incredible distance of 122 meters off Anderson's bat. The explosive batter's innings proved crucial, as it propelled New Zealand to a daunting total of 292 runs, ultimately securing them a 24-run victory over India.
#4 Liam Livingstone: 122 metres
Liam Livingstone is touted as one of England's brightest young talents (ICC Cricket)
Liam Livingstone smashed a monstrous 122-meter six off Haris Rauf's delivery in a T20I game against Pakistan in 2021. Despite his heroics, England lost the match, with his valiant 23-ball 38 going in vain. The prolific English all-rounder has been a consistent performer in limited-overs cricket for England, showcasing his exceptional skills with both bat and ball. With the way he is going, it doesn’t seem long before he surpasses his own record in coming times.
#3 Martin Guptill: 127 metres
Martin Guptill is one of the best white-ball openers in contemporary times (ICC Twitter)
Martin Guptill, known for his aggressive batting style, stunned the cricketing world when he hit a 127-metre six during a match against South Africa in 2012. At that time, the swashbuckling opener was still establishing himself as a member of the New Zealand cricket team. The shot, which came off a delivery by Lonwabo Tsotsobe, was the second six in a row that Guptill hit, and it propelled him to the record books as one of the game's biggest hitters.
#2 Brett Lee: 130 metres
Brett Lee is the only specialist bowler to feature in the list
The legendary Australian pacer Brett Lee's name may not be the first one to pop up in discussions about big sixes, but it's a known fact that he could smack the ball hard when the need arose. In one of the most surprising instances of his career in 2005, the erstwhile speedster smashed a ball that flew over the boundary ropes, and amazingly, touched the 130-meter mark in a Test match against the Windies. It was a testament to his abilities with the bat, and it left everyone in awe.
#1 Shahid Afridi: 153 metres
Shahid Afridi holds the record for smashing the longest six in international cricket (circket.com.au)
The name Shahid Afridi is synonymous with hitting sixes, and he lived up to his reputation by smashing a colossal 153-meter six off Ryan McLaren's bowling during an international match in Johannesburg in 2013. While some have disputed the exact distance, it is still considered the longest sixes in cricket history. In the 35th over of the run chase, the former all-rounder unleashed a brutal hit that sent the ball soaring over the stadium roof, leaving everyone in awe. Although Afridi's heroics were not enough, as Pakistan lost the game by 34 runs.
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