by There’s nothing that brings cricket fans to their feet faster than the satisfying crack of bat meeting ball followed by that breathtaking moment when everyone realizes the ball is sailing far beyond the boundary.
The six is cricket’s most dramatic scoring shot – worth double the runs of a four and carrying infinitely more excitement.
For decades, cricket enthusiasts have debated which players can hit the ball the farthest.
While virat kohli total centuries in all format might dominate conversations about consistency and technique, when it comes to raw power and distance, a different set of heroes emerges.
Today’s modern game has evolved to celebrate the six like never before, with batsmen specifically training to increase their hitting range and power.
Longest Six in Cricket History
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the 12 longest sixes ever officially measured in cricket history.
We’ll dive into the circumstances behind each mammoth hit, examine the techniques that made them possible, and understand why these particular shots stand out in a sport with countless boundary clearances.
How Cricket Measures Six Distances?
Before diving into our countdown, it’s important to understand how these enormous distances are calculated:
- Ball tracking technology: Modern matches use sophisticated radar and camera systems
- Landing point measurement: Officials record where the ball first lands beyond the boundary
- Trajectory calculation: Advanced software estimates the total distance traveled
- Historical challenges: Older measurements relied on eyewitness accounts and rough estimates
It’s worth noting that measurement methods have improved dramatically over time, making modern distances more reliable.
Some historical sixes may have traveled even further than we know, but without today’s precision technology, we can only go by the best records available.
The Ultimate Ranking: 12 Longest Cricket Sixes
The following table presents the definitive list of cricket’s longest recorded sixes, featuring the player, team, opponent, distance, and year:
| 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 |
Now let’s explore each of these extraordinary cricketing moments in detail.
The Record Holder: Shahid Afridi’s 153-Meter Monster
Shahid “Boom Boom” Afridi didn’t earn his nickname by accident. The Pakistani all-rounder holds the undisputed record for cricket’s longest six – a truly astonishing 153-meter shot that seems almost superhuman.
During a One Day International against South Africa in Johannesburg on March 17, 2013, Afridi faced fast bowler Ryan McLaren. What happened next became instant cricket folklore. Afridi took a step forward and unleashed his trademark power swing. The connection was perfect, sending the ball soaring over deep midwicket, over the stands, and completely out of the stadium.
What made this six particularly special:
- The Johannesburg altitude (1,753 meters above sea level) meant thinner air and less resistance
- Afridi’s unique bat speed and follow-through generated exceptional power
- The ball traveled so far that many spectators lost sight of it
This mammoth hit silenced the home crowd momentarily before they erupted in appreciation. Even South African players couldn’t help but acknowledge the extraordinary feat they’d just witnessed. A decade later, this six remains the gold standard that all power hitters measure themselves against.
Brett Lee: The Bowler With a Batsman’s Six
At number two on our list is a surprising entry – Australian fast bowler Brett Lee with a tremendous 130-meter six against England in 2005.
During the Ashes series at the Gabba in Brisbane, Lee faced England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff. While primarily known for his express pace bowling, Lee showed he had serious batting talent too. When Flintoff delivered a length ball, Lee unleashed a perfectly timed shot that sailed high over the long-on boundary, landing an incredible 130 meters from the point of impact.
What makes Lee’s six remarkable:
- It came from a specialist bowler, not a recognized batsman
- The shot featured perfect technical execution and timing
- It occurred during the high-pressure environment of an Ashes Test
- The distance would be exceptional even for a dedicated power hitter
This six helped change perceptions about lower-order batsmen and showed that proper technique combined with natural strength could produce extraordinary results, regardless of a player’s primary role.
Martin Guptill’s 127-Meter Marvel
New Zealand opener Martin Guptill combines technical excellence with surprising power, demonstrated perfectly by his 127-meter six against South Africa in 2012.
During a T20 International at Eden Park in Auckland, Guptill faced fast bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe. When the South African delivered a slightly short ball, Guptill rocked back and unleashed a pull shot that soared high into the Auckland night sky. The ball traveled a massive 127 meters before landing, making it the third-longest six in cricket history.
Guptill’s six showcased:
- Perfect weight transfer from back foot to front
- Exceptional hand-eye coordination
- The ability to generate power through timing rather than just muscle
- Complete follow-through to maximize distance
Unlike some power hitters who rely primarily on brute strength, Guptill’s enormous six demonstrated how technical proficiency combined with timing can produce distances that rival or even exceed those achieved through raw power alone.
Liam Livingstone: The New Generation Power-Hitter
England’s Liam Livingstone represents the modern T20 specialist – a player built for the power game. His 122-meter six against Pakistan in 2021 announced him as one of cricket’s premier distance hitters.
During a T20 International at Headingley in Leeds, Livingstone faced Pakistan’s express pace bowler Haris Rauf. The England batsman caught a delivery in the perfect position and launched it with such force that the ball cleared not just the boundary but the entire stadium. Officials measured the monster hit at 122 meters as it landed on a rugby field adjacent to the cricket ground.
What stands out about Livingstone’s six:
- The sheer height of the trajectory
- The confidence to take on one of Pakistan’s fastest bowlers
- The ball leaving the stadium entirely
- The casual manner in which he played the shot
This six helped establish Livingstone as one of the new generation of power hitters specifically trained for maximum distance in the T20 era.
Corey Anderson: The Quiet Powerhouse
New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson may not have had the longest career, but his power-hitting ability was undeniable. His 122-meter six against India in 2014 perfectly showcased his clean striking.
During an ODI in Napier, Anderson faced Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami. When Shami delivered a length ball, Anderson unleashed a straight drive of such power and precision that the ball sailed over the sightscreen and landed 122 meters from the point of impact.
Anderson’s six demonstrated:
- Exceptional bat speed through the hitting zone
- Perfect still head position at the moment of impact
- Full extension of the arms through the shot
- The value of a balanced stance and stable base
While injuries would later hamper Anderson’s career, this enormous six showed why he was considered one of the most naturally gifted power hitters of his generation.
Mark Waugh: Elegance Meets Power
Mark Waugh was known primarily for his elegant stroke play rather than power hitting, which makes his 120-meter six against New Zealand in 1999 all the more remarkable.
During an ODI at the WACA in Perth, Waugh faced spinner Daniel Vettori. Rather than relying on brute force, Waugh used his exceptional timing and technique to dance down the pitch and loft the ball over long-on. The perfectly executed shot traveled a massive 120 meters, proving that finesse and timing can be just as effective as raw power.
What makes Waugh’s six special:
- It came from a player known for elegance rather than power
- The exceptional use of footwork to get to the pitch of the ball
- The perfect lofted drive technique
- The ability to generate distance through timing rather than muscle
This six remains one of the most technically beautiful among the longest hits, showing that cricket’s most aesthetically pleasing batsmen can also clear the boundary by enormous distances.
Yuvraj Singh’s 119-Meter Blast
Few cricketers are more associated with six-hitting than Yuvraj Singh, and his 119-meter maximum against Australia in 2007 stands as one of his finest.
During the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa, Yuvraj faced fast bowler Brett Lee. Still in the same tournament where he would later hit six sixes in an over off Stuart Broad, Yuvraj demonstrated his exceptional power by launching Lee for a massive 119-meter six over midwicket.
Yuvraj’s six-hitting technique featured:
- A high backlift that generated tremendous potential energy
- Perfect balance at the point of impact
- Quick hands through the hitting zone
- The ability to pick up length extraordinarily early
This six was a perfect example of why Yuvraj was considered one of the most natural six-hitters in cricket history, with a special ability to clear the boundary against even the fastest bowlers in the world.
MS Dhoni’s Helicopter Takes Flight
Former Indian captain MS Dhoni revolutionized finishing in limited-overs cricket, and his 118-meter six against New Zealand in 2009 perfectly demonstrated his unique power.
During an ODI in Christchurch, Dhoni faced fast bowler Tim Southee, who delivered a yorker-length delivery. Most batsmen would struggle to keep such a ball out, let alone hit it for six. But Dhoni unleashed his famous helicopter shot, using incredible wrist strength and bottom-hand power to whip the ball over the square leg boundary for a massive 118 meters.
What made Dhoni’s six extraordinary:
- The difficult yorker length that most would simply defend
- The unorthodox technique that defied conventional coaching
- The incredible wrist strength required
- The ability to generate power from a seemingly defensive position
This six exemplifies why Dhoni was such a feared finisher – his ability to generate enormous power from deliveries that most batsmen couldn’t even hit off the square.
Shahid Afridi’s Second Entry
Shahid Afridi makes a second appearance on our list with his 118-meter six against Australia in 2005, proving his record-breaking hit was no fluke.
During an ODI in Perth, Afridi faced part-time bowler Andrew Symonds. When Symonds dropped slightly short, Afridi rocked back and unleashed a massive pull shot that traveled 118 meters over the midwicket boundary.
Afridi’s consistent six-hitting ability stemmed from:
- An exceptionally strong base and stable position
- Tremendous bat speed through the hitting zone
- Natural timing that complemented his raw power
- Complete confidence in his ability to clear any boundary
As the only player to appear twice on this list, Afridi cemented his legacy as cricket’s most consistent distance hitter, capable of clearing not just boundaries but entire stadiums.
The Universe Boss: Chris Gayle’s 116-Meter Statement
West Indian legend Chris Gayle earned the nickname “Universe Boss” largely due to his extraordinary six-hitting ability, demonstrated perfectly by his 116-meter maximum against India in 2010.
During a T20 International in Barbados, Gayle faced spinner Yusuf Pathan. With his characteristic minimal footwork but maximum impact, Gayle launched a monstrous six that traveled 116 meters over long-on.
Gayle’s six-hitting technique featured:
- Minimal movement but perfect balance
- Tremendous upper-body strength
- The ability to hit through the line with a straight bat
- A full follow-through that maximized distance
This six epitomized Gayle’s approach to batting – see ball, hit ball, and do so with such power that fielders become mere spectators.
Ijaz Ahmed’s Test Match Special
Pakistan’s Ijaz Ahmed delivered a rare treat during a Test match against India in 1999 – a 108-meter six that proved massive hitting isn’t limited to limited-overs cricket.
During the Test at Mohali, Ijaz faced legendary spinner Anil Kumble. In a format where controlled aggression usually trumps all-out attack, Ijaz decided to buck the trend. He stepped down the track and launched Kumble for a massive six that traveled 108 meters.
What makes Ijaz’s six noteworthy:
- It came in a Test match, where such hitting is relatively rare
- It was against one of India’s greatest bowlers
- The pressure of an India-Pakistan contest
- The technical quality needed to hit a spinner of Kumble’s quality
This six demonstrated that massive hitting has a place in all formats of cricket when the situation and opportunity align.
Adam Gilchrist’s 104-Meter Finale
Completing our list is Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist with his 104-meter six against India in 2004.
During an ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Gilchrist faced young fast bowler Irfan Pathan. When Pathan delivered a ball slightly short of length, Gilchrist unleashed his trademark pull shot, sending the ball soaring 104 meters over midwicket.
Gilchrist’s six showcased:
- His lightning-fast reflexes
- Perfect weight transfer into the shot
- The aggressive mindset that redefined wicketkeeper-batting
- Technical excellence combined with natural power
This six exemplified why Gilchrist was such a game-changer in international cricket – his ability to destroy bowling attacks from the very start of an innings revolutionized the opener’s role in limited-overs cricket.
How Cricket Training Has Evolved for Power Hitting?
The ability to hit massive sixes doesn’t come naturally to all players. Modern cricket has seen a revolution in training specifically designed to increase six-hitting ability:
- Specialized strength programs:
- Focus on rotational power in the core
- Explosive strength training for the forearms and wrists
- Targeted exercises for the shoulders and back
- Technical refinements:
- Analysis of optimal bat swing paths
- Stance modifications to generate more power
- Grip techniques that maximize bat speed
- Mental approach changes:
- Greater emphasis on positive intent
- Specific range-hitting practice sessions
- Calculated risk assessment when targeting boundaries
Today’s cricketers benefit from these scientific approaches to power hitting that simply didn’t exist for earlier generations, potentially enabling even longer sixes in the future.
The Impact of Equipment on Six Distances
While player skill remains paramount, cricket equipment has evolved significantly, contributing to longer six distances:
- Modern bat improvements:
- Larger sweet spots
- Lighter yet more durable materials
- Improved weight distribution
- Edge thickness innovations
- Ball factors:
- More consistent manufacturing
- Aerodynamic considerations
- Seam patterns that affect flight
- Boundary considerations:
- Standardized rope distances
- Field size regulations
- Surface conditions affecting ball roll
These equipment innovations have combined with player skill to create the perfect environment for the massive sixes we see today.
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Conclusion: Cricket’s Ultimate Power Display
The twelve enormous sixes we’ve explored represent cricket at its most spectacular – the perfect combination of skill, power, timing, and occasion.
From Shahid Afridi’s record-shattering 153-meter blast to Adam Gilchrist’s 104-meter pull shot, each of these shots has earned its place in cricket history.
What makes these sixes truly special is their variety. They’ve come from dedicated power hitters like Afridi and Gayle, technically brilliant batsmen like Waugh, revolutionary wicketkeeper-batsmen like Dhoni and Gilchrist, and even a fast bowler in Brett Lee.
They’ve been hit in all formats of the game, from T20 Internationals to Test matches, proving that extraordinary hitting can occur in any context.
As cricket continues to evolve, with more emphasis on power hitting than ever before, we may well see these distances challenged or even surpassed.
The combination of improved training techniques, advanced equipment, and specialist power hitters suggests that the 153-meter benchmark may not stand forever.
But regardless of future records, these twelve magnificent shots represent cricket at its most thrilling – those perfect moments when bat meets the ball and sends it flying into the stratosphere, bringing crowds to their feet and creating memories that last a lifetime.
They remind us why cricket, in all its forms, continues to captivate audiences around the world.
