Top Players With Most Sixes in Test Cricket (2025 List)

Test cricket, often regarded as a game of patience, skill, and endurance, has also seen its fair share of explosive batting. Over the years, several players have brought power-hitting into the longest format, changing the way Test cricket is played. Among them, Ben Stokes stands tall as the current leader in career sixes, proving that aggression has a place even in red-ball cricket.

In this article, we’ll explore the records for the most sixes in Test cricket, from career totals to standout performances in a single innings. Whether it’s consistent big-hitters or one-off displays of brute force, this list celebrates the players who’ve cleared the ropes most often in Tests.

Most Sixes In Test Cricket: Career Records

Some batsmen have made six-hitting a regular feature of their Test batting. 

Let’s look at the top 20 performers in this category:

Player	Team	Span	Mat	Inns	Runs	Avg	Sixes	Fours
BA Stokes	ENG	2013–2025	112	201	6781	35.31	133	786
BB McCullum	NZ	2004–2016	101	176	6453	38.64	107	776
AC Gilchrist	AUS	1999–2008	96	137	5570	47.60	100	677
TG Southee	NZ	2008–2024	107	156	2245	15.48	98	215
CH Gayle	WI	2000–2014	103	182	7214	42.18	98	1046
JH Kallis	ICC / SA	1995–2013	166	280	13289	55.37	97	1488
V Sehwag	ICC / IND	2001–2013	104	180	8586	49.34	91	1233
AD Mathews	SL	2009–2025	119	212	8214	44.40	90	835
RG Sharma	IND	2013–2024	67	116	4301	40.57	88	473
BC Lara	ICC / WI	1990–2006	131	232	11953	52.88	88	1559
CL Cairns	NZ	1989–2004	62	104	3320	33.53	87	365
IVA Richards	WI	1974–1991	121	182	8540	50.23	84	952+
RR Pant	IND	2018–2025	44	77	3200	44.44	82	347
A Flintoff	ENG / ICC	1998–2009	79	130	3845	31.77	82	513
ML Hayden	AUS	1994–2009	103	184	8625	50.73	82	1049
Misbah-ul-Haq	PAK	2001–2017	75	132	5222	46.62	81	511
KP Pietersen	ENG	2005–2014	104	181	8181	47.28	81	985
MS Dhoni	IND	2005–2014	90	144	4876	38.09	78	544
RT Ponting	AUS	1995–2012	168	287	13378	51.85	73	1509
RA Jadeja	IND	2012–2025	81	120	3406	34.75	70	334
CH Lloyd	WI	1966–1985	110	175	7515	46.67	70	712+
Younis Khan	PAK	2000–2017	118	213	10099	52.05	70	1082

Ben Stokes leads the list with 133 sixes, underlining his reputation as one of the most aggressive batters in Test cricket history. He has now overtaken all previous records to become the top six-hitter in Tests. Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum follows with 107 sixes, showcasing his fearless approach during his playing days.

Australia’s Adam Gilchrist sits third with 100 sixes, a remarkable number for a wicketkeeper-batter. Close behind are Chris Gayle and Jacques Kallis, both sitting on 98 and 97 sixes respectively, highlighting their dominance across eras.

India’s Rohit Sharma, with 88 sixes in just 67 matches, continues to climb the list quickly. At his current pace, it’s only a matter of time before he breaks into the top five, proving his power game even in the longest format.

Most Sixes In A Test Innings

While career records show consistency, single-innings performances highlight a batsman’s dominance on a particular day. 

Here’s a table showing the top 10 performances for most sixes in a Test innings:

Player	Team	Runs	Balls	Opponent	Fours	Sixes	Venue	Date
Wasim Akram	Pakistan	257*	363	Zimbabwe	22	12	Sheikhupura	17 Oct 1996
YBK Jaiswal	India	214	236	England	14	12	Rajkot	15 Feb 2024
NJ Astle	New Zealand	222	168	England	28	11	Christchurch	13 Mar 2002
ML Hayden	Australia	380	437	Zimbabwe	38	11	Perth	09 Oct 2003
BB McCullum	New Zealand	202	188	Pakistan	21	11	Sharjah	26 Nov 2014
BB McCullum	New Zealand	195	134	Sri Lanka	18	11	Christchurch	26 Dec 2014
BA Stokes	England	258	198	South Africa	30	11	Cape Town	02 Jan 2016
BKG Mendis	Sri Lanka	245	291	Ireland	18	11	Galle	24 Apr 2023
WR Hammond	England	336*	–	New Zealand	34	10	Auckland	31 Mar 1933
CL Cairns	New Zealand	120	96	Zimbabwe	10	9	Auckland	20 Jan 1996

Wasim Akram, primarily known for his bowling, holds the record for most sixes in a Test innings. His 257* against Zimbabwe included 12 sixes, a feat recently matched by India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Jaiswal’s innings is the most recent entry in the top performances. In February 2024, the young Indian opener smashed 12 sixes in his knock of 214 against England in Rajkot. This inning announced Jaiswal’s arrival on the big stage and showed his ability to dominate even in the longest format.

Nathan Astle’s incredible 222 against England in 2002 came off just 168 balls, including 11 sixes. This remains one of the fastest double centuries in Test cricket.

Matthew Hayden’s mammoth 380 against Zimbabwe in 2003 included 11 sixes, proving that even in long innings, power-hitting can play a crucial role.

Brendon McCullum features twice in the top five list for most sixes in an innings, highlighting his consistent aggressive approach to Test batting.

Related Posts:

• Most Runs In Test Cricket 
• Fastest Centuries in Test Cricket

Conclusion: Ben Stokes Holds The Record For The Most Sixes In Test Cricket

The trend of hitting sixes in Test cricket has evolved over the years. Modern batsmen, influenced by limited-overs cricket, are more willing to take aerial routes even in the longest format. Players like Stokes, McCullum, and Gilchrist have shown that aggressive batting can be effective in Test matches.

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s recent entry into this elite list suggests that the next generation of Test batsmen might continue to push boundaries. His innings proves that even young players are now comfortable with power-hitting in Tests.

As Test cricket continues to evolve, we might see more entries in these lists. But the essence of Test batting – the ability to play long innings and adapt to changing conditions – will always remain crucial. Six-hitting adds excitement to the game, but it’s the overall batting skills that define greatness in Test cricket.