Abhishek Sharma broke a world record in the first T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch. He now has the most sixes in the powerplay in T20I cricket. He has hit 99 sixes in the first six overs. Rohit Sharma previously held the record with 98. Martin Guptill of New Zealand is third with 97. Muhammad Waseem has 95, and Paul Stirling has 94.
The record came during India’s chase of 226. Abhishek and Sanju Samson opened the innings. They put on 93 runs together. Samson was the aggressor. He reached his fifty inside the powerplay. Abhishek made 29 off 12 balls. He hit three sixes in that time. Those sixes took him past Rohit’s record.
India won the match by four wickets. They needed two balls to spare. Samson was named Player of the Match for his 67. After the openers were out, India struggled for a while. Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel added 45 runs to steady the innings. But India still needed a big finish. But Naman Dhir smashed an unbeaten 42 off just 15 balls.
Most Sixes in the Powerplay in T20I History
1. Abhishek Sharma
Abhishek Sharma now holds the record for most sixes in the powerplay in T20I cricket. He has 99 sixes in the first six overs. He took the record from Rohit Sharma during the first T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch on October 22, 2026. In that match, Abhishek hit three sixes in a quick 29 off 12 balls.
What makes Abhishek’s record stand out is how fast he reached it. He has faced only 770 balls in the powerplay to get 99 sixes. Rohit needed 1,672 balls for his 98 sixes. That means Abhishek reached the mark in less than half the deliveries. His 2026 form has been outstanding. He hit 37 powerplay sixes in 2026 alone. That beat his own previous record of 34 from 2025. He has also hit a six off the very first ball of a T20I on seven separate occasions.
2. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is second on the list with 98 sixes. He held the record for years before Abhishek went past him. Rohit’s tally came from 1,672 balls in the powerplay. That shows how long he maintained his aggressive approach at the top of the order. He was also the first player to hit 200 sixes in T20 internationals overall. His powerplay hitting was a key part of his batting for over a decade.
3. Martin Guptill
Martin Guptill of New Zealand is third with 97 sixes. He was one of the most explosive openers in the format’s history. He reached his tally of 1,609 balls. His approach was slightly less aggressive than the top two, but still very effective. His ability to clear the ropes in the first six overs was important to New Zealand’s white-ball success.
4. Muhammad Waseem
Muhammad Waseem of the UAE is fourth with 95 sixes. He is the UAE captain. His place on this list shows the growing power-hitting depth beyond the full-member nations. He reached his tally in just 1,201 balls. That gives him a very high strike rate in the powerplay. His presence in the top five highlights the rise of Associate cricket.
5. Paul Stirling
Paul Stirling of Ireland completes the top five with 94 sixes. He is one of Ireland’s greatest cricketers. His tally has come from a huge 1,921 balls. That reflects his long career at the top of the order. His power hitting has been a constant threat to bowlers around the world. Taking on the new ball has always been a defining part of his game.
FAQs
Q. Who has hit the most sixes in the powerplay in T20I cricket?
A. Abhishek Sharma holds the record with 99 powerplay sixes.
Q. Whose record did Abhishek Sharma break?
A. Abhishek surpassed Rohit Sharma, who previously held the record with 98 sixes.
Q. Who ranks third for most powerplay sixes in T20Is?
A. New Zealand’s Martin Guptill ranks third with 97 sixes.
Q. How many powerplay sixes has Muhammad Waseem hit?
A. Muhammad Waseem has hit 95 sixes in T20I powerplays.
Q. How many sixes did Abhishek Sharma hit against New Zealand?
A. Abhishek hit three sixes while scoring 29 runs off 12 balls in the first T20I.
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