In ODI crickеt, thе significancе of a tеam’s middlе-ordеr battеr cannot bе ovеrstatеd. And thе batter batting at the No. 6 position plays a uniquе and crucial rolе.
As the game unfolds, the No. 6 batter often finds thеmsеlvеs at the crossroads of rebuilding an innings or accеlеrating towards a formidablе total. Despite all the challenges, some batters have scored plenty of runs in this slot.
So, let’s take a look at the top 10 batters with the most ODI runs at the No. 6 batting position.
Most ODI Runs at No. 6
| Player | Runs | Innings | High Score | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni (IND) | 4164 | 129 | 139* | 47.31 |
| Michael Bevan (AUS) | 3006 | 87 | 102* | 56.71 |
| David Miller (SA) | 2876 | 96 | 118* | 39.94 |
| Jos Buttler (ENG) | 2490 | 85 | 129 | 35.07 |
| Mark Boucher (SA) | 2387 | 98 | 78 | 29.83 |
| Mahmudullah (BAN) | 2201 | 75 | 111 | 37.30 |
| Mushfiqur Rahim (BAN) | 2120 | 73 | 100* | 37.19 |
| Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL) | 2046 | 87 | 81* | 28.81 |
| Michael Hussey (AUS) | 1942 | 63 | 109* | 40.45 |
| Umar Akmal (PAK) | 1888 | 62 | 102* | 37.01 |
Key Insights on Leading Run Scorers at No. 6 in ODIs
Individual ODI Records and Scoring Milestones at No. 6
MS Dhoni has aggregated the most runs as a No. 6 batter in ODIs, with 4164 runs in 129 innings for India.
Dhoni’s 4164 runs are also the most by a designated wicketkeeper-batter in this position.
Glenn Maxwell has recorded the highest individual score at No. 6 in an ODI innings. He blasted an unbeaten 201 off 128 balls against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup. This is also the highest individual score in an ODI run chase.
Maxwell’s unbeaten 201 is the only double century by a non-opener in ODIs. (Revisit Maxwell’s clutch knock here.)
England’s Jos Buttler and South Africa’s David Miller are the only two batters to smash four or more centuries at No. 6 in ODIs. (Check the top century-makers at each batting position in ODIs here.)
Dhoni again tops the chart with the most fifty-plus scores in this slot, having smashed 31.
Australia’s Michael Bevan has the highest batting average as a No. 6 batter in ODIs, having scored 3006 runs at 56.71 in 87 innings.
Maxwell has the highest batting strike rate in this position, striking at 122.81 while scoring 1346 runs in 42 innings.
Captaincy and Team Impact Records at No. 6
Dhoni scored 2939 of those runs while leading India, making it the most by a captain at No. 6 in ODIs.
Pakistan’s Imran Khan is the only other captain to aggregate 1000-plus runs in this position, with 1123 runs in 45 innings.
2015 of Dhoni’s runs ended up in India’s wins, the most by a No. 6 batter in winning causes in ODIs.
Miller has scored the most runs as a No. 6 batter in a calendar year in ODIs. He netted 749 runs in 21 innings in 2023.
Venue and Opposition Statistics at No. 6
Mushfiqur Rahim scored 688 of his 2120 runs at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, the most by a No. 6 batter at a single venue in ODIs.
Dhoni amassed 1710 of his runs in India, the most by a No. 6 batter at home in ODIs.
Dhoni is the only batter to score 800-plus runs against three teams while batting at No. 6 in ODIs. His 934 runs against England are the most by a No. 6 batter, followed by 915 against Sri Lanka and 842 against Australia.
Top Boundary Hitters at No. 6 in ODIs
Miller is the only batter to smash more than 90 sixes while batting at No. 6 in ODIs.
Dhoni, meanwhile, has struck the most fours as a No. 6 batter in ODIs, with 312 boundaries to his name.
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