Most sixes in T20 World Cup

The T20 World Cup, the pinnacle of short-format cricket, has been graced by some of the game's most destructive batsmen. These players have enthralled audiences with their power-hitting. This article delves into the careers of the top 10 players who have hit the most sixes in T20 World Cup history. 

Unsurprisingly, the list is spearheaded by one of the most destructive batsmen of all time, Chris Gayle. Three Indian batsmen also find themselves on the list. 
 

Most Sixes in T20 World Cups – top 10 list 

Chris Gayle (West Indies) - 63 Sixes

Chris Gayle, the 'Universe Boss', is synonymous with T20 cricket. Spanning from 2007 to 2021, Gayle's career in the T20 World Cup has been nothing short of phenomenal. With 63 sixes in 33 matches, he tops the list of batsmen with most sixes in the tournament. Gayle has overall scored 965 runs in the T20 World Cup at an average of 34.46 and a strike rate of 142.75. This includes two centuries. Known for his towering presence and powerful hitting, Gayle's ability to clear the boundary at will has not only won matches for the West Indies but also set the template for modern T20 batting.

Rohit Sharma (India) - 35 Sixes 

Rohit Sharma, India's 'Hitman', has been a consistent performer in T20 World Cups from 2007 to 2022. With 35 sixes in 39 matches, Rohit is second on the list of most sixes in the T20 World Cup. Across his T20 World Cup career, Rohit has amassed 963 runs at an average of 34.39 and a strike rate of 127.88. This makes him the fourth-highest run-scorer in the tournament's history, only behind Virat Kohli, Mahela Jayawardene and Gayle. Rohit also holds the record for the highest number of sixes in T20 internationals - 190 sixes in 151 matches. 

Jos Buttler (England) - 33 Sixes 

Jos Buttler, one of England's premier white-ball specialists, has scored 799 runs in 27 T20 World Cup from 2012 to 2022. This includes 33 sixes. His strike rate of 144.48 and an impressive average of 42.05 reflect both his consistency and power-hitting abilities. He was England's highest run-scorer in the T20 World Cup in 2021 and 2022. In 2021, Buttler scored 269 runs in six matches at an average of 89.66 and a strike rate of 151.22, while in 2022, he amassed 225 runs in six matches at an average and strike rate of 45 and 144.23. 

Yuvraj Singh (India) - 33 Sixes 

Yuvraj Singh's heroics in T20 World Cups, particularly his six sixes in an over against England in 2007, are etched in cricketing folklore. Playing the T20 World Cup from 2007 to 2016, Yuvraj hit 33 sixes in 31 matches. Over the course of his T20 World Cup career, the all-rounder scored 593 runs at an average of 23.72 and a strike rate of 128.91 His contributions with the bat, especially his strike rate of over 190, was instrumental in India’s 2007 T20 World Cup triumph. 

Shane Watson (Australia) - 31 Sixes 

Shane Watson played his first T20 World Cup in 2007 and the last one in 2016. With 537 runs in 24 matches, including 31 sixes, Watson played a significant role for Australia in the tournament. His strike rate of 140.94 highlight his aggressive batting style. After his retirement from international cricket in 2016, Watson continued to play in T20 leagues before announcing retirement from all forms of cricket in 2020.

David Warner (Australia) - 31 Sixes 

David Warner, known for his aggressive batting at the top of the order, has been a crucial player for Australia in T20 World Cups from 2009 to 2022. With 806 runs in 34 matches including 31 sixes, Warner is Australia's highest run-scorer in the tournament. His ability to start the innings with a bang has often given Australia the momentum needed to post or chase big totals. 

AB de Villiers (South Africa) - 30 Sixes 

AB de Villiers, one of the most innovative and destructive batsmen in cricket history, played a crucial role for South Africa in T20 World Cups from 2007 to 2016. De Villiers' ability to hit 360 degrees around the ground made him a nightmare for bowlers. In 30 matches, he scored 717 runs including 30 sixes at an average of 29.87 and a strike rate of 143.40. 

Interestingly, de Villiers also holds another record in the T20 World Cup. He has taken the most catches as a fielder in the tournament, with 23 catches to his name. De Villiers announced retirement from all forms of cricket in 2021. 

Virat Kohli (India) - 28 Sixes 

Virat Kohli, one of the modern greats of the game, is the highest run-scorer in T20 World Cups. Kohli has amassed a total of 1141 runs in the tournament at an average of 81.50 and a strike rate of 131.30. He has hit a total of 28 sixes. Kohli was the second-highest run-scorer in the 2016 T20 World Cup, with 273 runs at an extraordinary average of 136.50 and a strike rate of 146.77. 

Dwayne Bravo (West Indies) - 25 Sixes 

With 25 sixes in 34 matches, Dwayne Bravo's power-hitting in the death overs often turned games in favour of the West Indies. Bravo's average of 21.20 might not be the highest, but his impact as a finisher and his ability to clear the boundary consistently make him a valuable player in the T20 format. Bravo scored a total of 530 runs in T20 World Cups. Bravo retired from international cricket after the 2021 T20 World Cup held in Oman and United Arab Emirates. 

Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) - 25 Sixes 

Mahela Jayawardene, one of Sri Lanka's most elegant batsmen, hit 25 sixes in 31 matches, Jayawardene's batting was a blend of grace and power. Jayawardene's strike rate of 134.74 in T20 World Cups and six fifties highlight his adaptability in the shortest format of the game. Notably, he was Sri Lanka's highest run-scorer in the 2014 T20 World Cup, which was also his last T20 World Cup appearance.