Rohit Sharma breaks Chris Gayle’s T20I record: Who are the Top 5 six-hitters in T20Is?

Rohit Sharma breaks Chris Gayle’s T20I record: The Indian vice-captain has scored the most number of sixes in T20Is now.

During the second T20I of the ongoing India’s tour of West Indies at Lauderhill, India vice-captain and opening batsman Rohit Sharma registered his 17th T20I half-century to propel India to 167/5 in their allotted quota of 20 overs.

Opening the batting with Shikhar Dhawan, the duo stitched a 67-run opening stand to lay a solid foundation for India on a tricky pitch. Before getting out to West Indies fast bowler Oshane Thomas in the 14th over, Sharma ended up scoring 67 (51) with the help of six fours and three sixes.

Rohit Sharma breaks Chris Gayle’s T20I record

While Sharma looked set to register another T20I hundred, it wasn’t to be. However, what became the highlight of his innings was the fact that he surpassed veteran West Indies batsman Chris Gayle in the list of maximum number of sixes hit in T20Is.

Starting the match with 104 sixes, Sharma equaled Gayle’s record when he flicked a Keemo Paul full-toss on the leg side for a clear six in the sixth over. On the second delivery of the 10th over, Sharma pulled a rank short delivery from West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine to go past the Universe Boss.

Making sure he gains a lead in the competition, Sharma hit West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite for his third six of the morning to complete 107th six in T20Is. It is worth mentioning that Sharma has several other records to his name than just scoring maximum sixes.

The 31-year old cricketer now has most runs, most centuries, most 50+ scores, most four and sixes combined among major T20I records.

Chris Gayle (West Indies)

As mentioned earlier, Gayle has moved to the second position in the list of most sixes in T20Is. In 58 T20Is, Gayle has scored 1,627 runs at an average of 32.54 and a strike rate of 142.84 including two centuries and 13 half-centuries. Given the manner in which the 39-year old cricketer has dominated the format, him featuring in this list is not a surprise by any means.

Gayle scoring these many sixes in only 58 matches speaks highly of his average when it comes to hitting the maximum. Having made his T20I debut in 2006, Gayle last played for West Indies earlier this year.

While he was expected to play in the ongoing series against India, a stint in the Global T20 League 2019 didn’t allow him to come out of his freelance mode.

Martin Guptill (New Zealand)

The third on the list is New Zealand opening batsman Martin Guptill. The fact that the next three on the list (including Guptill) are all from New Zealand speaks highly about their expertise in this format.

In 76 ODIs so far, Guptill has scored 2,272 runs at an average of 33.91 and a strike rate of 132.71 including two centuries and 14 half-centuries. Guptill has hit 103 sixes in T20Is.

It is worth mentioning that before Sharma, it was Guptill who had scored most runs in T20Is. Currently playing for New Zealand, the 32-year old batsman is likely to give Sharma a run for his money in the years to come.

Having played only a lone T20I in the last year, Guptill will be looking to find top form in the imminent three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka next month. With the T20 World Cup scheduled for next year, New Zealand would be banking upon Guptill’s form for the tournament.

Colin Munro (New Zealand)

There is no hiding to the fact that another New Zealand opening batsman Colin Munro is a bit of surprise in this list. While not many would have anticipated his presence here, the same signifies how well he has done for the Kiwis at the top of the order in T20Is.

In 52 T20Is, Munro has scored 1,411 runs at an average of 33.59 and a strike rate of 161.99 including three centuries and nine half-centuries. After Sharma, it is Munro and Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell who have scored three centuries in T20Is.

While the difference of number of sixes hit between Guptill and Munro is significant, the fact that this left-hand batsman has scored these many sixes in only 49 outings (least innings among Top 5) tell vastly about his expertise in this format.

Brendon McCullum (New Zealand)

The fifth position is occupied by former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum. Having retired from international cricket in 2016, McCullum was one of the earliest names who started to dominate the format upon its introduction.

In 71 T20Is, the 37-year old cricketer had scored 2,140 runs at an average of 35.66 and a strike rate of 136.21 including two centuries and 13 half-centuries. An absolute legend of this format, McCullum had scored 199 fours and 91 sixes.

Still seen playing in T20 leagues around the world, McCullum stood a serious chance of registering some one-sided records in the format had he continued to play the game at the highest level.