Rohit Sharma to Shahid Afridi - Most Sixes in International Cricket after each year since 1980

In a fitting crescendo to an era defined by explosive batting, former India captain Rohit Sharma has once again claimed the top spot in the all-time international sixes chart at the end of 2025.

With a staggering 648 sixes across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, Sharma not only extends his lead but also achieves a remarkable hat-trick, having led the standings for three consecutive years since 2023.

The journey of international sixes tells a broader story of cricket's metamorphosis. Back in 1980, West Indies' Clive Lloyd held the record with just 61 sixes, a figure that seems modest today but was groundbreaking in an era of cautious play.

Fast-forward 45 years, and Sharma's tally is over ten times that, fueled by the advent of T20 cricket, bolder strategies,

and technological advancements in bats that allow for effortless clears over the ropes. As T20 leagues proliferated globally, the six became a staple, turning matches into high-scoring spectacles and rewarding aggressive openers like Sharma.

The Six-Hitters over the Years

The West Indies' golden age under Lloyd and Viv Richards from 1980 to 2002, where Richards held sway for an astonishing 18 years with 210 sixes. Then came Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya, who revolutionized limited-overs cricket with his pinch-hitting, leading from 2003 to 2009 (except a brief Afridi interlude in 2005). Pakistan's Shahid Afridi, the "Boom Boom" of leg-spin and long hits, dominated from 2010 to 2018, tying with Gayle before the West Indian universe boss took over until 2022. Now, Sharma's reign marks India's stamp on this explosive metric, reflecting the nation's rise in global cricket.

As 2025 draws to a close, Sharma has claimed the top spot again. Fans and analysts speculate on who might challenge him next-perhaps emerging talents like England's Jos Buttler or Australia's Travis Head-but for now, the "Hitman" stands alone. His record not only cements his legacy but also highlights how cricket has grown more dynamic, with sixes jumping from under 100 in the 1980s to over 600 today.

Year-End Leaders in International Sixes (1980-2025) (In Aggregate)

1980: Clive Lloyd (West Indies) - 61

1981: Clive Lloyd (West Indies) - 63

1982: Clive Lloyd (West Indies) - 64

1983: Clive Lloyd (West Indies) - 74

1984: Clive Lloyd (West Indies) - 92

1985: Viv Richards (West Indies) - 106

1986: Viv Richards (West Indies) - 134

1987: Viv Richards (West Indies) - 161

1988: Viv Richards (West Indies) - 178

1989: Viv Richards (West Indies) - 191

1990: Viv Richards (West Indies) - 195

1991: Viv Richards (West Indies) - 210

1992: Viv Richards (West Indies) - 210

1993: Viv Richards (West Indies) - 210

1994: Viv Richards (West Indies) - 210

1995: Viv Richards (West Indies) - 210

1996: Viv Richards (West Indies) - 210

1997: Viv Richards (West Indies) - 210

1998: Viv Richards (West Indies) - 210

1999: Viv Richards (West Indies) - 210

2000: Viv Richards (West Indies) - 210

2001: Viv Richards (West Indies) - 210

2002: Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) / Viv Richards (West Indies) - 210

2003: Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) - 223

2004: Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) - 240

2005: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 247

2006: Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) - 277

2007: Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) - 314

2008: Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) - 337

2009: Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) - 352

2010: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 358

2011: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 376

2012: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 382

2013: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 416

2014: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 443

2015: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 465

2016: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 476

2017: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 476

2018: Chris Gayle (West Indies) / Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 476

2019: Chris Gayle (West Indies) - 534

2020: Chris Gayle (West Indies) - 534

2021: Chris Gayle (West Indies) - 553

2022: Chris Gayle (West Indies) - 553

2023: Rohit Sharma (India) - 582

2024: Rohit Sharma (India) - 624

2025: Rohit Sharma (India) - 648