Last Updated on May 28, 2025 by admin
Cricket has always been a game of skill, strategy, and spectacle. Among the most electrifying achievements in the sport is the rare feat of hitting six sixes in an over—a moment that leaves fans stunned and opponents helpless. Only a select few players have managed to reach this legendary milestone in the game’s long history.
In this blog, we’ll explore the history of six sixes in an over, the players who have achieved it, and what makes this accomplishment one of cricket’s most unforgettable moments.
What Does Six Sixes in an Over Mean?
In cricket, an over consists of six legal deliveries bowled by a single bowler. When a batter hits a six on each ball of the over, they accumulate 36 runs in just one over—maximum possible without extras.
It’s a rare display of batting power, timing, and precision, especially considering the psychological pressure and the risk involved.
Read Also: Fastest 1000 Runs in IPL History
Who Hit Six Sixes in an Over? – A Historical Overview
Let’s take a look at the players who have hit six sixes in one over across formats like international cricket, T20s, ODIs, Test matches, and domestic leagues.
🏏 1. Sir Garfield Sobers
Format: First-Class (1968)
Opponent: Malcolm Nash
Team: Nottinghamshire
Details: The legendary West Indian was the first cricketer ever to smash six sixes in a single over. He achieved this in a first-class match, setting the benchmark.
🏏 2. Ravi Shastri
Format: First-Class (1985)
Opponent: Tilak Raj
Team: Bombay (now Mumbai)
Details: Future India coach Ravi Shastri replicated Sobers’ feat in a Ranji Trophy match, becoming the second player to hit six sixes in an over.
🏏 3. Herschelle Gibbs
Format: ODI (2007 World Cup)
Opponent: Daan van Bunge (Netherlands)
Details: The first to do it in international cricket, Gibbs made history by hitting six consecutive sixes in a World Cup game—earning a place in cricket’s record books.
🏏 4. Yuvraj Singh
Format: T20I (2007 T20 World Cup)
Opponent: Stuart Broad
Details: Perhaps the most famous instance, Yuvraj smashed six sixes in an over after a verbal spat with Andrew Flintoff. He scored the fastest fifty in T20I (12 balls) during this iconic moment.
🏏 5. Kieron Pollard
Format: T20I (2021)
Opponent: Akila Dananjaya (Sri Lanka)
Details: After Dananjaya took a hat-trick earlier, Pollard punished him by smashing six sixes in the next over—joining the elite list.
🏏 6. Jaskaran Malhotra
Format: ODI (2021)
Opponent: Papua New Guinea
Team: USA
Details: The first U.S. player to do so in ODIs, Malhotra showed the rise of Associate Nations with this massive achievement.
🏏 7. Ruturaj Gaikwad (List A Cricket – 2022)
Format: Vijay Hazare Trophy
Opponent: Uttar Pradesh
Details: Gaikwad scored 43 runs in one over (including a no-ball), hitting 7 sixes—the most in a single over in List A history.
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Six Sixes in an Over: Full List
| Player | Format | Year | Opponent | Country |
| Sir Garfield Sobers | First-Class | 1968 | Malcolm Nash | West Indies |
| Ravi Shastri | First-Class | 1985 | Tilak Raj | India |
| Herschelle Gibbs | ODI | 2007 | Netherlands | South Africa |
| Yuvraj Singh | T20I | 2007 | England (Stuart Broad) | India |
| Kieron Pollard | T20I | 2021 | Sri Lanka | West Indies |
| Jaskaran Malhotra | ODI | 2021 | Papua New Guinea | USA |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | List A | 2022 | Uttar Pradesh | India |
Why Is It So Rare?
Hitting six sixes in one over requires:
- Perfect timing and power
- Reading the bowler’s strategy
- Pitch conditions in favor
- Confidence and aggression under pressure
Even the best batters in history like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, or Brian Lara never achieved it—highlighting how difficult this feat is.
Six Sixes in an Over in IPL and T20 Leagues
While many power-hitters have dominated the IPL and other leagues, no one has yet hit six sixes in a single over in IPL history. Players like Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, and MS Dhoni have come close, hitting 5 sixes in an over.
But as T20 becomes more aggressive, the record may fall soon.
Impact on Cricket Fans and the Game
Whenever someone hits six sixes in one over, it becomes a viral moment:
- Shared millions of times on social media
- Brings new audiences to the game
- Boosts the batter’s brand value overnight
- Gets featured in highlights, history books, and fan debates
It’s more than just runs—it’s a statement of domination.
Interesting Trivia
- Yuvraj Singh’s 6 sixes were hit off Stuart Broad, who later became one of England’s greatest bowlers.
- Gibbs’ record earned him a $1 million donation for a charitable cause during the 2007 World Cup.
- Pollard’s 6 sixes came against a bowler who had just taken a hat-trick—making it even more dramatic.
Final Thoughts
The achievement of six sixes in an over is a symbol of excellence, aggression, and control in cricket. Whether it’s Yuvraj Singh’s fireworks, Gibbs’ World Cup heroics, or Pollard’s comeback punch, these moments have rewritten cricket history.
As cricket continues to evolve, fans are always on the lookout for the next batter to join this elite club. Could the next one be in the IPL? Or in a T20 World Cup? Only time will tell.
FAQs
1. Who was the first cricketer to hit six sixes in an over?
Sir Garfield Sobers in 1968 in first-class cricket.
2. How many players have hit six sixes in one over in international cricket?
Four—Herschelle Gibbs, Yuvraj Singh, Kieron Pollard, and Jaskaran Malhotra.
3. Has anyone hit six sixes in an over in Test cricket?
No player has hit six sixes in a single over in Test cricket yet.
4. Has anyone done it in IPL?
As of now, no player has hit six sixes in one over in the IPL.
