Much like T20Is, the powerplay, i.e., the first 10 overs, is the best time for the openers to pile up quick runs and make a rapid start to the innings. Fielding restrictions give an advantage to batters who have the gift of stroke play. Playing with finesse gives ample scoring opportunities, especially high-value ground shots that eradicate risk from the play.
But there are batters who are aggressive from the start and have an attacking mindset. They like to deal in boundary maximums, and this article will provide a glimpse of the same. Here are the top 10 instances of batters who have hit the most sixes in powerplay in an ODI innings.
Most Sixes by a Batter in Powerplay in an ODI Innings
| Player | 6s in a Powerplay | Runs (Balls) | Against | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Gayle (WI) | 9 | 77 (27) | England | Gros Islet | 2 Mar 2019 |
| Martin Guptill (NZ) | 8 | 93 (30) | Sri Lanka | Christchurch | 28 Dec 2015 |
| Kusal Mendis (SL) | 8 | 72 (35) | South Africa | Delhi | 7 Oct 2023 |
| Brendon McCullum (NZ) | 7 | 77 (25) | England | Wellington | 20 Feb 2015 |
| Mitchell Marsh (AUS) | 6 | 62 (34) | India | Visakhapatnam | 19 Mar 2023 |
| David Warner (AUS) | 6 | 65 (37) | New Zealand | Dharamsala | 28 Oct 2023 |
| Chris Gayle (WI) | 5 | 36 (17) | New Zealand | Wellington | 21 Mar 2015 |
| Chris Gayle (WI) | 5 | 40 (29) | England | Southampton | 29 Sep 2017 |
| Chris Gayle (WI) | 5 | 45 (27) | England | St George’s | 27 Feb 2019 |
| Chris Gayle (WI) | 5 | 65 (33) | India | Port of Spain | 14 Aug 2019 |
Key Stats
5: The Universe Boss Chris Gayle is the only batter who has whacked 5 or more sixes in the first 10 overs 5 times. That showcases his affinity for taking the aerial route in the initial stages of the game.
9 is the highest number of sixes a batter has scored in the powerplay phase of an innings, and this record belongs to the former West Indies opener Chris Gayle.
Also Read | In Focus – Chris Gayle’s Power Hitting
3: Brendon McCullum, the had-hitting batsman from New Zealand, makes this list 3 times and, in all 3 instances, has hit at least 6 sixes.
310: The batting strike rate of Martin Guptill during his knock of 93 — the most runs in the first 10 overs by a batter — against Sri Lanka in Christchurch. This is the highest strike rate in the powerplay phase of ODI innings, with more than 50 runs scored. The next best in McCullum’s rate of 308 came during his stunning knock of 85 from 28.
