🏏 Top 10 Longest Sixes in Cricket History – The Biggest Hits Ever Recorded

Cricket isn’t just about technique — it’s also about power, timing, and confidence. Few moments in a cricket match electrify the crowd like a towering six that disappears into the night sky.

From the fearless Shahid Afridi to the legendary MS Dhoni, these players have sent the cricket ball soaring to unimaginable distances. In this article, we dive deep into the top 10 longest sixes in cricket history, exploring when and how they happened — and what made these iconic shots so special.

1. Shahid Afridi – 153 meters (Pakistan)

Opponent: South Africa (Johannesburg, 2013)
Match Type: ODI

Shahid “Boom Boom” Afridi holds the record for the longest six ever hit — a monstrous 153-meter shot against South Africa. It came during an ODI at Johannesburg, when Afridi lofted a delivery from Ryan McLaren high into the stands — and beyond!

Afridi was known for his explosive batting and fearless approach. With a strike rate over 115 in ODIs, he was the original power-hitter before the T20 era even began.

🧠 Did You Know?
Afridi has hit more than 450 sixes in international cricket — one of the highest in history.

2. Brett Lee – 143 meters (Australia)

Opponent: West Indies (2005, Gabba)
Match Type: Test

Yes, you read that right — a fast bowler! Brett Lee’s 143-meter six off Darren Powell in 2005 is one of cricket’s biggest surprises. Lee, known for bowling thunderbolts over 150 km/h, showed he could also deliver thunder with the bat.

The ball reportedly landed outside the stadium, showcasing Lee’s upper-body strength and impeccable timing.

💥 Highlight:
Brett Lee remains the only full-time bowler in cricket history to feature in the top 5 longest sixes.

3. Martin Guptill – 127 meters (New Zealand)

Opponent: South Africa (Wellington, 2012)
Match Type: T20I

Martin Guptill, one of New Zealand’s most powerful openers, smashed a 127-meter six that stunned both players and fans. Known for his explosive starts, Guptill’s clean hitting style and strong base allow him to generate immense power.

🏠 Trivia:
Guptill’s 237* in the 2015 World Cup remains the highest individual score by a New Zealand player in ODIs.

4. Liam Livingstone – 122 meters (England)

Opponent: Pakistan (Headingley, 2021)
Match Type: T20I

Modern-day powerhouse Liam Livingstone has made a name for himself in franchise leagues around the world. His 122-meter six against Haris Rauf in 2021 was a jaw-dropping reminder of his raw strength.

Livingstone is one of the few batters who can clear any ground with ease, often hitting sixes over 100 meters in T20 leagues like the IPL and The Hundred.

💡 Fun Fact:
His six was measured using Hawk-Eye ball-tracking technology, which calculates the estimated trajectory and landing distance.

5. Corey Anderson – 122 meters (New Zealand)

Opponent: West Indies (Queenstown, 2014)
Match Type: ODI

Corey Anderson entered the record books when he broke Shahid Afridi’s record for the fastest ODI century (36 balls) in 2014. During that innings, he launched a 122-meter six that reflected his natural power-hitting ability.

⚙️ Technical Note:
Anderson’s shot was aided by Queenstown’s high altitude — thinner air means less resistance, allowing the ball to travel farther.

6. Mark Waugh – 120 meters (Australia)

Opponent: New Zealand (Perth, 1997)
Match Type: Test

Elegant yet destructive — Mark Waugh’s 120-meter six at the WACA was all about timing. Known for his effortless stroke play, Waugh showed that even classical batters could clear massive distances without brute strength.

🎯 Fact:
Waugh’s six is often cited as one of the cleanest strikes ever seen at Perth’s WACA, known for its fast, bouncy surface.

7. Yuvraj Singh – 119 meters (India)

Opponent: Australia (Melbourne, 2007)
Match Type: T20I

India’s six-hitting legend Yuvraj Singh was a nightmare for bowlers at his peak. His 119-meter six against Australia during the 2007 T20 World Cup was pure perfection — a combination of power, timing, and confidence.

🏆 Legacy:
Yuvraj is also the only player to hit six sixes in an over in T20 World Cup history (against Stuart Broad).

8. MS Dhoni – 118 meters (India)

Opponent: New Zealand (Wellington, 2009)
Match Type: ODI

The Helicopter Shot King himself! MS Dhoni’s 118-meter six in 2009 is one of the most iconic moments in Indian cricket. Using just his wrists, Dhoni launched the ball deep into the crowd, leaving commentators speechless.

🧩 Technique Insight:
Dhoni’s unique bat-swing — the “helicopter motion” — allows him to generate tremendous torque, even from yorker-length balls.

9. Shahid Afridi – 118 meters (Pakistan)

Afridi appears again — because one record-breaking six simply wasn’t enough! His 118-meter six against New Zealand in 2005 was another display of his unmatched hitting prowess.

Afridi’s fearless approach made him one of the most entertaining players in cricket — capable of both brilliance and chaos in the same innings.

10. Chris Gayle – 116 meters (West Indies)

Opponent: India (IPL 2013, Bengaluru)
Match Type: T20

Chris Gayle, the “Universe Boss”, has probably hit more sixes than anyone in modern cricket. His 116-meter six during the IPL 2013 season was one of the highlights of his record-breaking 175* — the highest individual T20 score ever.

💣 Stats:
Gayle has smashed over 1,050 sixes across all T20s — a record unlikely to be broken anytime soon.

📏 How Are Six Distances Measured?

Earlier, six distances were estimated visually or via stadium markers.
Today, advanced systems like Hawk-Eye and RSP (Real-time Sports Positioning) are used to calculate the ball’s projected distance — factoring in launch angle, speed, and landing point.

Factors Affecting Distance:

Altitude and air density (balls travel farther in high-altitude venues)
Bat speed and timing
Wind direction and pitch elevation
Type of ball and boundary size

🌍 Evolution of Power Hitting in Cricket

Cricket has come a long way from wooden bats and low-scoring matches. The T20 revolution brought fitness, technology, and bat innovation — producing players capable of sending the ball 100+ meters regularly.

1990s: Natural hitters like Afridi and Waugh
2000s: Enter Dhoni, Yuvraj, and Gayle
2010s–2020s: Livingstone, Maxwell, and Russell take over

Power-hitting is now an essential skill, not just entertainment.

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