Test cricket has long been seen as a format that rewards patience, technique, and mental toughness. But a select group of cricketers have dared to bring brute power into the mix—lighting up the game with their fearless hitting. Leading the charge is Brendon McCullum, the former New Zealand captain who holds the record for the most sixes in Test cricket, with 107 to his name. Right behind him is Ben Stokes, England’s aggressive all-rounder who continues to climb the six-hitting charts with every series.
Australia’s Adam Gilchrist, known for his counter-attacking brilliance, and the explosive Chris Gayle of the West Indies have also left bowlers ducking for cover. Among Indians, legends like Virender Sehwag, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma stand tall, having smashed some of the most sixes in Test for India, blending power with precision in a format where sixes are still rare and spectacular. This blog takes you through the players who’ve rewritten the rules with their six-hitting abilities in Test international cricket.
Who Has Hit the Most Sixes in Test Cricket? Full List & Stats
While Test cricket is largely about patience and technique, a few fearless batters have turned it into a stage for powerful strokeplay. These players didn’t just play for survival—they played to dominate. Below is the complete list of players with the most sixes in Test international cricket, showing just how impactful their hitting was over the years.
| Player | Country | Matches | Sixes |
| Ben Stokes | England | 133 | 110 |
| Brendon McCullum | New Zealand | 101 | 107 |
| Adam Gilchrist | Australia | 96 | 100 |
| Tim Southee | New Zealand | 98 | 107 |
| Chris Gayle | West Indies | 103 | 98 |
| Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 166 | 97 |
| Virender Sehwag | India | 104 | 91 |
| Angelo Mathews | Sri Lanka | 118 | 89 |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 67 | 88 |
| Brian Lara | West Indies | 131 | 88 |
| Chris Cairns | New Zealand | 62 | 87 |
| Sir Viv Richards | West Indies | 121 | 84 |
| Andrew Flintoff | England | 79 | 82 |
| Matthew Hayden | Australia | 103 | 82 |
| Misbah-ul-Haq | Pakistan | 75 | 81 |
| Kevin Pietersen | England | 104 | 81 |
| MS Dhoni | India | 90 | 78 |
| Rishabh Pant | India | 43 | 76 |
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | 168 | 73 |
| Clive Lloyd | West Indies | 110 | 72 |
Ben Stokes – Redefining Aggression in Test Cricket
When you think of modern-day Test cricket aggression, Ben Stokes instantly comes to mind. The English all-rounder isn’t just a match-winner—he’s a game-changer, capable of altering the course of a Test match in a single session. With 110 sixes in 133 matches, Stokes currently holds the record for the most sixes in Test cricket.
What makes his achievement remarkable is not just the quantity of sixes, but the context in which they come. From the unforgettable 135* at Headingley in 2019 to his blistering 258 off 198 balls against South Africa in 2016 (where he smashed 11 sixes), Stokes has redefined what’s possible in the longest format. His fearless approach blurs the line between Test and limited-overs cricket, taking on fast bowlers and spinners alike with audacious hitting.
Stokes isn’t just topping the sixes chart—he’s changing the mindset of an entire generation. While many associate six-hitting with T20, Stokes proves that you can still dominate in whites with raw power and instinct.
| Stat | Value |
| Matches | 133 |
| Innings | 198 |
| Runs | 6,719 |
| Highest Score | 258 |
| Sixes | 110 |
| Hundreds | 13 |
| Fifties | 35 |
| Batting Average | 35.55 |
Brendon McCullum – The Original Test Six Machine
Before “Bazball” became a buzzword, Brendon McCullum was already showing the world how to play fearless Test cricket. The former New Zealand captain was a trailblazer—his ability to take the attack to the bowlers made him a nightmare for oppositions across formats. In Tests, McCullum hit 107 sixes in 101 matches, finishing just behind Ben Stokes in the all-time list.
His crowning six-hitting moments came in 2014, when he struck 11 sixes in two different innings—one against Pakistan in Sharjah (202 off 188 balls) and another against Sri Lanka in Christchurch (195 off 134 balls). These weren’t just explosive knocks; they were record-breaking statements of intent in a format traditionally dominated by caution.
McCullum’s legacy isn’t just about numbers—it’s about attitude. He inspired a generation of cricketers to be bold, and his influence still echoes today, especially now that he’s leading England’s revolution as Test coach.
| Stat | Value |
| Matches | 101 |
| Innings | 176 |
| Runs | 6,453 |
| Highest Score | 302 |
| Sixes | 107 |
| Hundreds | 12 |
| Fifties | 31 |
| Batting Average | 38.64 |
Read More: Most Wickets in International Cricket
Active Players With the Most Test Sixes
While the art of six-hitting in Test cricket was once rare, the modern era has seen a shift. More players are embracing an aggressive approach—even in whites. Let’s take a look at the active players with the most sixes in Test cricket, many of whom continue to redefine the traditional rhythm of the five-day game.
| Player | Country | Matches | Sixes | Status |
| Ben Stokes | England | 133 | 110 | Active |
| Tim Southee | New Zealand | 98 | 107 | Active |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 67 | 88 | Active |
| Angelo Mathews | Sri Lanka | 118 | 89 | Active |
| Rishabh Pant | India | 43 | 76 | Active (injured) |
| David Warner | Australia | 112 | 69 | Retired (2024) |
| Travis Head | Australia | 50+ | 45+ | Active |
| Kyle Jamieson | New Zealand | 20+ | 30+ | Active |
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | 50+ | 25+ | Active |
| Jonny Bairstow | England | 90+ | 30+ | Active |
Most Sixes in a Test Innings
Hitting sixes in Test cricket is rare—but doing it repeatedly in a single innings is truly special. These explosive performances often shift momentum and leave lasting memories. The players listed below hold the record for hitting the most sixes in a Test innings, proving that aggression and endurance can go hand in hand in the longest format.
| Player | Country | Sixes | Score | Opponent | Year |
| Wasim Akram | Pakistan | 12 | 257* | Zimbabwe | 1996 |
| Nathan Astle | New Zealand | 11 | 222 | England | 2002 |
| Matthew Hayden | Australia | 11 | 380 | Zimbabwe | 2003 |
| Brendon McCullum | New Zealand | 11 | 202 | Pakistan | 2014 |
| Ben Stokes | England | 11 | 258 | South Africa | 2016 |
| Wally Hammond | England | 10 | 336* | New Zealand | 1933 |
| Chris Cairns | New Zealand | 10 | 158 | Zimbabwe | 1999 |
| Brian Lara | West Indies | 9 | 400* | England | 2004 |
| Rishabh Pant | India | 9 | 159* | Australia | 2019 |
| Virender Sehwag | India | 8 | 293 | Sri Lanka | 2009 |
Final Words
Test cricket has always been a game of endurance, patience, and technical mastery—but players like Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum, and Virender Sehwag have proven that raw power and aggression can thrive even in the most traditional format. The list of cricketers with the most sixes in Test cricket is more than just numbers—it’s a celebration of those who’ve dared to push boundaries, take risks, and entertain millions.
As the game evolves, six-hitting in Test international cricket is no longer a rarity. With players like Yashasvi Jaiswal already smashing records early in their careers, the future promises even more fireworks. Whether it’s McCullum’s legacy, Stokes’ dominance, or India’s rising stars, one thing is clear: the six will always have a place, even in whites.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who has hit the most sixes in Test cricket history?
A: England’s Ben Stokes currently holds the record for the most sixes in Test cricket, with over 110 sixes in his career.
Q2. Who has hit the most sixes in Test for India?
A: Virender Sehwag leads the chart for India, followed closely by MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant.
Q3. What is the record for most sixes in a Test innings?
A: The record is shared by Wasim Akram and Yashasvi Jaiswal, both hitting 12 sixes in a single Test innings.
Q4. Is Ben Stokes still an active Test player?
A: Yes, Ben Stokes is still active and continues to add to his six-hitting tally in Test international cricket.
Q5. Who is the youngest Indian to hit 12 sixes in a Test innings?
A: Yashasvi Jaiswal became the youngest Indian to hit 12 sixes in a Test innings during his double century against England in February 2024.
