Most Sixes in Test Cricket: The All-Time Power Hitters List (2025)

There are few sights in sport as thrilling as a cricket ball soaring into the stands. In the fast-paced world of T20, it’s a common occurrence. But in Test cricket, the longest and most traditional format, clearing the ropes requires a unique blend of raw power, impeccable timing, and pure courage. A five-day match tests a player’s patience and technique, making every six a calculated risk or a moment of pure brilliance.

This deep dive into the Test cricket batting records celebrates the game’s greatest aggressors—the players who redefine what’s possible with a willow in hand. We’re counting down the top 10 players with most sixes in Tests, the legends who have reigned supreme as the highest six hitters in Test cricket history.

The Pantheon of Power: Top 10 Highest Six Hitters in Test Cricket

The race for the most sixes by a batsman in Test cricket features a fascinating mix of explosive openers, destructive all-rounders, and even a world-class bowler who swings with no fear. Here is the definitive list of the players with the highest career sixes in Test.

Player	Team	Matches	Innings	Runs	H. Score	Average	Sixes
Ben Stokes	England	115	206	7032	258	35.69	136
Brendon McCullum	New Zealand	101	176	6453	302	38.64	107
Adam Gilchrist	Australia	96	137	5570	204*	47.60	100
Tim Southee	New Zealand	107	156	1224	77*	15.48	98
Chris Gayle	West Indies	103	182	7214	333	42.18	98
Jacques Kallis	South Africa	166	280	13289	224	55.37	97
Rishabh Pant	India	48	84	3456	159*	43.74	93
Virender Sehwag	India	104	180	8586	319	49.34	91
Angelo Mathews	Sri Lanka	119	212	7821	200*	44.40	90
Rohit Sharma	India	67	116	4302	212	40.57	88

1. Ben Stokes: England’s Fearless Leader (136 Sixes)

Topping the chart for the most sixes in Test matches is England’s inspirational all-rounder, Ben Stokes. With 136 maximums, Stokes stands alone. His philosophy is simple: see the ball, hit the ball. Whether it’s a fast bowler charging in or a tense match situation, Stokes plays with a confidence that has made him one of the most feared Test cricket aggressors of the modern era. His ability to turn a game in a single session is why he holds the coveted Test cricket sixes record.

2. Brendon McCullum: The Revolutionary (107 Sixes)

Brendon McCullum, with 107 sixes, changed how we think about Test batting. He was a pioneer, asking “why not attack?” and often scoring a hundred before lunch. His record-breaking 302, the first triple century by a New Zealander, was a masterclass in aggressive batting, cementing his place among the greatest Test six-hitters.

3. Adam Gilchrist: The Game-Changer (100 Sixes)

Adam Gilchrist, with exactly 100 sixes, revolutionized the role of the wicketkeeper-batsman. Coming in at number seven, he often faced tired bowlers with an old ball—and he would demolish them. With a staggering strike rate of 81.95, Gilly’s Test cricket hitting ability turned matches on their head and made him a nightmare for opposition captains.

4. Tim Southee: The Bowling Bomber (98 Sixes)

Perhaps the most surprising name on this list is Tim Southee, a bowler by trade. His 98 sixes are a testament to a pure, no-fear approach. Batting at number nine or ten, his job is to swing hard, and he does it brilliantly. Southee is the ultimate proof that six-hitting records in Tests aren’t just for specialist batsmen.

5. Chris Gayle: The Universe Boss (98 Sixes)

Chris Gayle, also with 98 sixes, brought his iconic “Universe Boss” power to the Test arena. Towering and immensely strong, Gayle could hit the ball to any part of the ground. His monumental 333 was littered with huge sixes, showcasing the Test cricket power hitters at their most dominant.

6. Jacques Kallis: The Selective Punisher (97 Sixes)

Jacques Kallis demonstrates that you can be both a technically sound legend and a prolific six-hitter. With one of the best averages in history (55.37) and 97 sixes, Kallis was the master of patience. He waited for the right ball to punish, proving that controlled aggression is a hallmark of the true Test cricket legends.

7. Rishabh Pant: India’s Rising Star (93 Sixes)

Rishabh Pant is a whirlwind. In just 48 matches, he has smashed 93 sixes, making him the fastest to climb this list. As a wicketkeeper-batsman, his aggressive stroke-play in all conditions has made him a match-winner for India. He is well on his way to challenging for the top spot in the all-time most sixes in Test cricket history.

8. Virender Sehwag: The Nawab of Najafgarh (91 Sixes)

Virender Sehwag, with 91 sixes, redefined Test opening batting. While most openers treated the new ball with respect, Sehwag treated it with contempt. His “see the ball, hit the ball” mantra led to two triple centuries, making him one of the most entertaining and successful Indian batsman with most sixes in Test.

9. Angelo Mathews: Sri Lanka’s Reliable Power (90 Sixes)

Angelo Mathews has been the rock of Sri Lankan batting for over a decade. While known for building careful innings, his 90 sixes highlight his underlying power. When set, he possesses the strength to clear the boundary with ease, contributing significantly to Test match batting milestones for his country.

10. Rohit Sharma: The Hitman (88 Sixes)

Completing our list of the top Test six hitters is Rohit Sharma. Known as the “Hitman” in white-ball cricket, his elegant power translates perfectly to Tests. With beautiful timing and a calm demeanor, he has accumulated 88 sixes and is expected to rise much higher on this list, further adding to the most sixes in Test cricket by Indian players.

Indian Power: A Closer Look at the Most Sixes by Indian Players in Test Cricket

The list shines a bright light on India’s contribution to Test cricket attacking batsmen. Three Indian stars feature prominently:

• Rishabh Pant (93): The explosive wicket-keeper, already a legend in the making.
• Virender Sehwag (91): The fearless opener who changed the game’s grammar.
• Rohit Sharma (88): The modern maestro with sublime timing.

Their presence underscores India’s evolving approach to Test cricket, blending traditional technique with modern aggression. The stats for Indian Test cricket stats sixes are in very capable hands.

Courage Meets Skill

The quest for the most sixes in Test is more than a tally; it’s a narrative of courage. From Ben Stokes’ fearless leadership to Rishabh Pant’s youthful audacity, these players dominating Test sixes have enriched the sport with their daring. They prove that Test cricket, while a test of endurance, will always have room for the spectacular roar of a ball flying for six.

FAQs

Q: Who has hit the most sixes in Test cricket?
Ben Stokes from England holds the record for the most sixes in Test cricket with 136 maximums.

Q: Is there a bowler on the list of players with most sixes in Test matches?
Yes, New Zealand’s Tim Southee, primarily a bowler, has astonishingly hit 98 sixes in his Test career, showcasing remarkable lower-order power.

Q: Which Indian batsman has the most sixes in Test?
While several Indian legends are on the list, currently, Rishabh Pant leads among active Indian players with 93 sixes and is the fastest-rising Indian in the all-time most sixes in Test cricket history.

Q: Can a player hit many sixes and still maintain a high Test average?
Absolutely. Jacques Kallis is the perfect example, combining 97 sixes with a phenomenal average of 55.37, proving that selective aggression is a hallmark of the greats.

                                               

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