Longest Six in Cricket History (Updated 2025)

by Jack — March 22, 2025 in Cricket

Cricket isn’t just a game of bat and ball – it’s a thrilling spectacle of power, skill, and pure excitement!

One of the most heart-stopping moments in any cricket match is when a batsman connects perfectly and sends the ball soaring into the stands or beyond.

These massive hits, known as sixes, bring fans to their feet and create memories that last a lifetime.

In this article, we’re diving into the world of cricket’s biggest hitters and their most spectacular shots.

We’ll explore the top 12 longest sixes ever recorded in cricket history, giving you all the details about these incredible feats of strength and timing.

While we celebrate these power-hitting specialists, it’s worth noting that technical masters like virat kohli total centuries in all format show that cricket excellence comes in many forms.

Whether it’s Kohli’s century-making consistency or Afridi’s jaw-dropping sixes, cricket offers something for every fan to admire.

From stadiums in Australia to packed grounds in India, these monster hits have left spectators in awe and bowlers in despair.

Longest Six in Cricket History

We’ll look at who hit them, how far they traveled, and the stories behind these extraordinary moments. So get ready to be amazed as we count down the twelve most massive sixes ever measured in cricket!

Criteria for Selection

Before we dive into our list of cricket’s longest sixes, let’s understand how these incredible shots made our countdown. We didn’t just pick random big hits – we used careful criteria to ensure this list truly represents the most massive sixes in cricket history.

Reliable measurements: All distances included have been verified by official sources or trusted cricket authorities
Match importance: Sixes hit during crucial moments or important tournaments carry extra significance
Player reputation: Known power-hitters with established records for big-hitting
Crowd reaction: The visible impact on spectators and lasting memory of the shot

By using these criteria, we’ve created a trustworthy list that truly represents the most remarkable distance-hitting achievements in cricket history.

Longest Sixes in Cricket History

Cricket fans love nothing more than watching their favorite batsmen clear the boundary with ease. Let’s look at the most massive sixes ever recorded in the sport’s history, ranked by distance.

Complete List with Measurements

Here’s a comprehensive table showing the top 12 longest sixes ever measured in cricket, along with key details about each spectacular hit:

Rank	Player	Team	Opponent	Distance (metres)	Year
1	Shahid Afridi	Pakistan	South Africa	153m	2013
2	Brett Lee	Australia	England	130m	2005
3	Martin Guptill	New Zealand	South Africa	127m	2012
4	Liam Livingstone	England	Pakistan	122m	2021
5	Corey Anderson	New Zealand	India	122m	2014
6	Mark Waugh	Australia	New Zealand	120m	1999
7	Yuvraj Singh	India	Australia	119m	2007
8	MS Dhoni	India	New Zealand	118m	2009
9	Shahid Afridi	Pakistan	Australia	118m	2005
10	Chris Gayle	West Indies	India	116m	2010
11	Ijaz Ahmed	Pakistan	India	108m	1999
12	Adam Gilchrist	Australia	India	104m	2004

Shahid Afridi – 153 meters

Shahid Afridi, nicknamed “Boom Boom” for a reason, holds the record for the longest six in cricket history with a truly mind-boggling 153-meter shot.

The conditions in Johannesburg—high altitude and thin air—certainly helped, but nothing takes away from the pure power Afridi generated. When South African pacer Ryan McLaren delivered a length ball on March 17, 2013, Afridi stepped forward and unleashed a massive swing. The connection was perfect, and the ball soared into the sky, flying far beyond the stadium boundaries.

The crowd was stunned, commentators were speechless, and social media exploded with clips of the six going viral immediately. This six remains the gold standard for power hitting in cricket, demonstrating Afridi’s incredible strength and timing. Even today, more than a decade later, no one has come close to matching this phenomenal distance.

Brett Lee – 130 meters

When we think of Brett Lee, we usually picture him terrorizing batsmen with his express pace. However, the Australian fast bowler proved he was no slouch with the bat when he hit this enormous six.

Playing against England during the heated Ashes series in 2005, Lee faced a delivery from Andrew Flintoff that was right in his hitting zone. With a clean swing that would make any specialist batsman proud, Lee connected perfectly and sent the ball soaring over the stands at the Gabba in Brisbane. The measured distance of 130 meters makes this the second-longest six ever recorded.

What makes this six remarkable is that it came from a bowler, not a specialist batsman. This shot showcased Brett Lee’s all-round abilities and demonstrated that even bowlers can produce moments of batting brilliance at the highest level.

Martin Guptill – 127 meters

New Zealand’s Martin Guptill is known for his clean striking ability, and his 127-meter six against South Africa in 2012 stands as a testament to his power.

When South African bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe delivered a ball slightly short of length during a T20 International in Auckland, Guptill seized the opportunity. With immaculate timing and tremendous power, he connected cleanly and sent the ball flying into the Auckland sky.

What made this six special was Guptill’s perfect technique – his balance at the crease, complete follow-through, and exceptional eye on the ball until impact. This six helped cement Guptill’s reputation as one of New Zealand’s premier power hitters.

Liam Livingstone – 122m

Liam Livingstone has quickly established himself as one of England’s most exciting power hitters, and his 122-meter six against Pakistan in 2021 stands as proof of his extraordinary ability.

Facing Pakistan’s express pace bowler Haris Rauf at Headingley, Leeds, Livingstone connected with a delivery and sent it straight over the stadium roof. The ball traveled an incredible 122 meters, landing on a nearby rugby pitch outside the cricket ground.

This spectacular shot helped England reach 200 runs and contributed to their 45-run victory. As one of the newer entries on this list, Livingstone’s six demonstrates that the art of power hitting continues to evolve in modern cricket, with new players pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Corey Anderson – 122 meters

New Zealand’s Corey Anderson burst onto the international scene as a powerful all-rounder, and his 122-meter six against India in 2014 perfectly illustrated his hitting prowess.

When Indian pacer Mohammed Shami delivered a ball in Anderson’s hitting arc during an ODI in Napier, the Kiwi all-rounder unleashed a mighty blow. The ball sailed high into the Napier sky and landed a remarkable 122 meters from the point of impact.

Anderson’s six demonstrated his natural strength, excellent leverage, exceptional hand speed, and confidence to take on any bowler regardless of reputation. Though injuries would later hamper his career, this moment captured the pure hitting ability that made him such an exciting prospect.

Mark Waugh – 120 meters

Mark Waugh was known more for his elegant stroke play than raw power, which makes his 120-meter six against New Zealand in 1999 all the more remarkable.

Facing spinner Daniel Vettori during an ODI in Perth, Mark Waugh stepped down the track and launched the ball with such perfect timing that it traveled an astonishing 120 meters. What makes this six special is that it came from a batsman usually admired for finesse rather than power.

This six exemplify how perfect technique combined with timing can produce distances that rival or exceed the shots of more overtly powerful batsmen. It remains one of the most aesthetically pleasing huge sixes in cricket history.

Yuvraj Singh – 119 meters

Few cricketers are more associated with six-hitting than Yuvraj Singh, and his 119-meter maximum against Australia in 2007 stands out even in his highlight-filled career.

This six came during the ICC World T20 in Durban, South Africa – the same tournament where Yuvraj would later hit Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over. Facing one of the world’s fastest bowlers in Brett Lee, Yuvraj connected perfectly and sent the ball soaring 119 meters.

Yuvraj’s six-hitting technique featured a high backlift, still head, full extension, and the ability to pick up length early. This six was a perfect encapsulation of his devastating ability against pace bowling and showed why he was one of the most feared limited-overs batsmen of his generation.

MS Dhoni – 118 meters

MS Dhoni’s helicopter shot is legendary in cricket, and his 118-meter six against New Zealand in 2009 represents the pinnacle of his unique hitting technique.

When Tim Southee delivered a yorker-length delivery during an ODI in Christchurch, most batsmen would have done well just to dig it out. Dhoni, however, used his incredible wrist strength and unique technique to whip the ball with a flourish of his famous helicopter shot.

What made this six special was that it came from a difficult ball to hit, using an unorthodox technique that was uniquely Dhoni’s. This six epitomizes Dhoni’s innovative approach to batting and his ability to generate immense power from seemingly defensive positions.

Shahid Afridi – 118m (Second Entry)

Shahid Afridi makes his second appearance on our list with another massive six – this one measuring 118 meters against Australia in 2005.

Facing part-time bowler Andrew Symonds during an ODI in Perth, Afridi spotted an opportunity and launched into a trademark explosive shot. The ball sailed over the boundary with room to spare, traveling 118 meters.

Afridi’s consistent ability to hit massive sixes made him a fan favorite throughout his career. He finished with an incredible 476 international sixes, and remains the only player to appear twice on this list of the longest sixes in cricket history.

Chris Gayle – 116 meters

The Universe Boss Chris Gayle is perhaps the most celebrated six-hitter in modern cricket, and his 116-meter six against India in 2010 is a perfect example of his tremendous power.

When spinner Yusuf Pathan dropped slightly short during a T20 International in Bridgetown, Barbados, Gayle wasted no time in punishing the error. With his characteristic minimal footwork but maximum power, he launched the ball into the Barbados sky.

Gayle’s six-hitting philosophy involved minimal movement, tremendous upper body strength, a special eye for spinners, and an awareness of crowd entertainment. This six was just one of hundreds in Gayle’s career but stands out for its sheer distance.

Ijaz Ahmed – 108 meters

Pakistan’s Ijaz Ahmed may not be as widely remembered as some other players on this list, but his 108-meter six against India in 1999 deserves its place in cricket history.

What makes Ijaz’s six particularly noteworthy is that it came in a Test match at Mohali, a format not typically associated with huge hitting. Facing legendary spinner Anil Kumble, Ijaz stepped out of his crease and connected perfectly, sending the ball a massive 108 meters.

This six was especially significant coming in the high-pressure environment of an India-Pakistan Test against one of India’s greatest bowlers. It demonstrates that massive hitting has a place even in Test cricket when the situation calls for it.

Adam Gilchrist – 104 meters

Adam Gilchrist revolutionized the role of the wicketkeeper-batsman, and his 104-meter six against India in 2004 perfectly illustrates his attacking prowess.

When young Indian pacer Irfan Pathan delivered a ball in Gilchrist’s hitting zone during an ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the Australian wicketkeeper-batsman unleashed a ferocious pull shot. The ball sailed over the midwicket boundary and was measured at 104 meters.

This six exemplifies why Gilchrist was such a feared opponent – he could take the game away from teams in a matter of overs with his aggressive approach and clean hitting, changing expectations for what wicketkeeper-batsmen could achieve.

Impact of Long Sixes on Cricket

The spectacular sixes we’ve explored haven’t just been isolated moments of brilliance – they’ve helped transform cricket in several important ways.

Evolution of Power-Hitting in Cricket

The ability to hit massive sixes has evolved dramatically over the years due to several factors:

Advanced training methods: Specialized strength and conditioning programs focused on explosive power
Equipment innovations: Lighter, more powerful bat designs with larger sweet spots
Batting technique changes: Greater emphasis on bat speed and 360-degree hitting approaches

Today’s cricketers are physically stronger and more technically equipped to hit sixes than their predecessors. Modern training methods specifically target the muscles and movements needed for power hitting.

Influence on Game Formats and Strategy

The ability to hit long sixes has dramatically influenced how cricket is played:

T20 revolution: Teams now build strategies around power hitters
Batting order innovations: Strategic placement of six-hitting specialists throughout lineups
Bowling adaptations: Development of specialized techniques to counter big hitters

The strategic importance of six-hitting capability has changed team selections, match tactics, and even how cricket grounds are designed and maintained.

Cultural and Commercial Impact

Big sixes have also transformed cricket’s appeal and commercial prospects:

Fan engagement: Sixes create memorable moments that drive social media sharing and TV ratings
Marketing opportunities: Six-hitting contests and distance-measuring technology as promotional tools
Global appeal: Makes cricket more accessible to new and younger audiences

The ability to hit massive sixes has become a valuable commercial asset for cricket, helping the sport compete with other entertainment options in a crowded marketplace.

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Conclusion:

As we’ve explored the twelve longest sixes in cricket history, we’ve witnessed some truly extraordinary feats of power, timing, and skill.

From Shahid Afridi’s record-shattering 153-meter blast to Adam Gilchrist’s 104-meter pull shot, each of these massive hits represents a special moment in cricket that left fans awestruck.

These twelve remarkable sixes stand out not just for their distances but for what they represent – technical excellence, raw power, and perfect execution in important match situations.

The variety of players who appear on this list demonstrates that the ability to hit massive sixes comes in many forms.

As cricket continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more specialized training for power hitting, further innovations in bat technology, and potentially even longer sixes as players push boundaries further.

While Afridi’s 153-meter six has stood as the record for over a decade, the next generation of power hitters may well surpass even this remarkable distance.

What makes these massive sixes so captivating is that they represent cricket at its most spectacular and accessible.

Even those new to the sport can appreciate the raw excitement of seeing a small ball sent soaring into the stands or beyond.

These moments transcend technical understanding – they’re pure sporting drama that continues to captivate cricket fans around the world.

Longest Six in Cricket History (Updated 2025)