Hitting six sixes in an over is a remarkable feat. The fact that in the long history of cricket, there have been only four instances of six sixes in an over in international cricket, proves why this feat is very difficult to achieve.
The first player to accomplish this incredible milestone in an international match was Herschelle Gibbs, who did so during the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup against the Netherlands.
His extraordinary performance set a precedent, inspiring future generations of cricketers to push the boundaries of what is possible in the game. However, only three cricketers after Gibbs were able to do so in an international match.
List of Players Who Scored 6 Ball 6 Sixes Record in International Cricket
| No. | Player | Team | Opponent | Tournament | Year |
| 1 | Herschelle Gibbs | South Africa | Netherlands | T20 World Cup | 2007 |
| 2 | Yuvraj Singh | India | England | T20 World Cup | 2007 |
| 3 | Kieron Pollard | West Indies | Sri Lanka | T20I series | 2021 |
| 4 | Jaskaran Malhotra | USA | Papua New Guinea | ODI Series | 2021 |
1. Herschelle Gibbs vs. Netherlands
Herschelle Gibbs made history during the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup by becoming the first player to hit six sixes in an over in international cricket. This milestone was achieved against the Netherlands on March 16, 2007, in St Kitts. South Africa was already in a commanding position when Gibbs decided to take on Dutch leg-spinner Daan van Bunge.
The over changed the dynamics of the game entirely, with Gibbs smashing six consecutive deliveries out of the park in the 30th over of the innings. This extraordinary display of power hitting led South Africa to a massive total of 353/3, with Gibbs himself scoring 72 runs off 40 balls with four fours and seven sixes.
Gibbs’s career was marked by such explosive performances. Known for his aggressive batting style, he made his ODI debut in 1996 and quickly established himself as a key player for South Africa. His career highlight came in 1999 when he scored a then-South African record 175 against Australia.
Despite a series of controversies, including being implicated in a match-fixing scandal, Gibbs remained a crucial part of the South African team until his retirement. Over his career, he scored over 8,000 runs in ODIs at an average of 36.13, including 21 centuries and 37 fifties.
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2. Yuvraj Singh vs. England
Later in 2007, Yuvraj Singh added his name to the list during the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa. In a high-octane match against England, Yuvraj clobbered Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over, which was one of the biggest talking points from the tournament.
This feat took place on September 19, 2007, in Durban. Yuvraj’s onslaught came after an altercation with Andrew Flintoff, which seemed to spur him on. He reached his half-century in just 12 balls, the fastest in T20 International history, scoring 58 off 16 balls.
Yuvraj’s career is one of resilience and brilliance. Making his debut in 2000, he quickly became known for his powerful batting and useful left-arm spin. His career highlights include being the Player of the Tournament in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, where he played a crucial role in India’s victory.
Despite a battle with cancer, which he overcame courageously, Yuvraj continued to represent India until 2017. He amassed over 8,700 runs in ODIs and 1,177 in T20Is, alongside more than 2,000 runs in Test cricket.
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3. Kieron Pollard vs. Sri Lanka
Kieron Pollard joined the elite club on March 3, 2021, during a T20I match against Sri Lanka in Antigua. After Yuvraj, he became the second player in the 6 ball 6 six record list in T20.
In the sixth over of the West Indies’ innings, Pollard smashed Akila Dananjaya for six consecutive sixes, astonishingly after Dananjaya had taken a hat-trick in his previous over. Pollard’s quick-fire 38 off 11 balls secured a win for the West Indies.
Pollard announced his retirement from international cricket in April 2022. Following his retirement from the international scene, Pollard also decided to retire from the Indian Premier League (IPL) in November 2022, after a 13-season stint with the Mumbai Indians.
Post-retirement, he transitioned into a coaching role, being appointed as the batting coach for the Mumbai Indians. Pollard’s career in ODIs includes over 2,500 runs, and he has accumulated over 1,500 runs in T20Is, making him one of the most impactful players in the shorter formats.
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4. Jaskaran Malhotra vs. Papua New Guinea
Jaskaran Malhotra became the most recent player to hit six sixes in an over in international cricket during an ODI match against Papua New Guinea on September 9, 2021.
In the 50th over of the USA’s innings, Malhotra targeted Gaudi Toka and sent all six deliveries over the boundary. His unbeaten 173 off 124 balls, which included 16 sixes, helped the USA post a commanding total and secure a comfortable victory.
Originally from India, Malhotra moved to the USA and has become a key player for the American national team since his debut in 2016.
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Conclusion
Herschelle Gibbs, Yuvraj Singh, Kieron Pollard, and Jaskaran Malhotra are the only four players to have hit six sixes in an over in international cricket. This feat still remains very rare, and proves why it is so difficult to achieve.
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FAQs about 6 Ball 6 Six Record
Q) Who was the first player to hit six sixes in an over in international cricket?
A) Herschelle Gibbs was the first player to achieve this feat during the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup against the Netherlands. On March 16, 2007, Gibbs hit six consecutive sixes off the bowling of Daan van Bunge.
Q) How many players have hit six sixes in an over in international cricket?
A) Only four players have accomplished this remarkable feat in international cricket: Herschelle Gibbs, Yuvraj Singh, Kieron Pollard, and Jaskaran Malhotra.
Q) When did Yuvraj Singh hit six sixes in an over?
A) Yuvraj Singh hit six sixes in an over during the 2007 T20 World Cup against England. This took place on September 19, 2007, and Yuvraj’s 12-ball fifty remains the fastest in T20 International history.
Q) When did Kieron Pollard hit six sixes in an over?
A) Kieron Pollard hit six sixes in an over on March 3, 2021, during a T20I match against Sri Lanka. He targeted Akila Dananjaya, who had taken a hat-trick in the previous over.
Q) Who is the most recent player to hit six sixes in an over in international cricket?
A) Jaskaran Malhotra is the most recent player to achieve this milestone. He did so on September 9, 2021, during an ODI match against Papua New Guinea, scoring an unbeaten 173.
