The longest six in cricket is one of the most exciting moments in the sport. An amazing swing, a deafening roar from the group, and the ball hovering beyond the boundary it’s pure cricketing magic. Over the years, gamers like Shahid Afridi, Chris Gayle, and MS Dhoni have surprised lovers with gigantic sixes. There’s even a famous declaration about the longest six in cricket history 173 meters, sparking debates and excitement across cricketing circles.
In this newsletter, we explore mythical sixes, examine their accuracy, and list the largest confirmed hits in cricket records.
Table of Contents
What is the Longest Six in Cricket?
A six in cricket is presented while the batsman hits the ball past the boundary rope without it touching the floor. While many gamers have cleared the boundary without difficulty, only a few have managed to send the ball hovering into file books.
Popular Claim: 173-Meter Six
There’s an extensively circulated claim that Shahid Afridi hit the longest six in cricket history 173 meters against South Africa in 2013. However, this has now not been officially proven by the ICC or other credible bodies. The actual recorded six became around 120 meters, with the “173 meters” likely a myth or an exaggerated internet rumor.
Top 10 Longest Sixes in Cricket History (Verified)
| Rank | Player | Distance (Meters) | Against | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shahid Afridi | 158 meters | South Africa | 2013 |
| 2 | Brett Lee | 130 meters | West Indies | 2005 |
| 3 | Martin Guptill | 127 meters | South Africa | 2012 |
| 4 | Liam Livingstone | 122 meters | Pakistan | 2021 |
| 5 | Chris Gayle | 120 meters | India | 2010 |
| 6 | Yuvraj Singh | 120 meters | Australia | 2007 |
| 7 | MS Dhoni | 112 meters | New Zealand | 2009 |
| 8 | Ijaz Ahmed | 108 meters | India | 1999 |
| 9 | Corey Anderson | 122 meters | India | 2014 |
| 10 | Adam Gilchrist | 104 meters | England | 2006 |
🔥 Note: The 173-meter six attributed to Afridi stays unverified but fuels online excitement and hypothesis.
longest six in cricket history 173 meters The Myth vs Reality
The 173-Meter Controversy:
- Allegedly hit by way of Shahid Afridi at Wanderers Stadium.
- Ball turned into believed to have landed outdoors the stadium.
- Fact test: The longest boundary at Wanderers is around eighty five meters. Including elevation and leap, specialists estimate actual distance to become 120–130 meters.
Conclusion:
While Afridi’s hit was tremendous, 173 meters remains unverified and isn’t diagnosed by official cricket boards.
Longest Sixes in T20 and IPL
Longest Six in IPL History:
| Player | Distance | Team | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albie Morkel | 125 meters | Chennai Super Kings | 2008 |
| Chris Gayle | 119 meters | Royal Challengers | 2013 |
| Robin Uthappa | 120 meters | KKR | 2010 |
| MS Dhoni | 112 meters | Chennai Super Kings | 2012 |
Albie Morkel’s 125-meter six remains the longest six in IPL records to this point.
What Makes a Six So Long?
Factors That Influence a Six’s Distance:
- Bat Speed and Timing – Clean connection with high bat speed generates most power.
- Wind Direction – Wind supporting from in the back of the batsman can bring the ball in addition.
- Elevation and Altitude – Stadiums at better altitudes (like Johannesburg) permit the ball to your father.
- Bat Quality – Modern bats have a much wider candy spot and are engineered for huge hits.
- Ball Type and Conditions – Dry, difficult balls tour farther than smooth or moist ones.
Longest Six by way of an Indian Cricketer
Yuvraj Singh – 120 meters
- Hit during the 2007 T20 World Cup towards Brett Lee.
- The shot sailed high over mid-wicket.
- Still seemed like the longest six by an Indian in global cricket.
Longest Six in Women’s Cricket
Women’s cricket has also seen powerful hitting.
| Player | Distance (Approx) | Match |
|---|
| Deandra Dottin | 96 meters | T20 World Cup |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 88 meters | India vs Australia, 2022 |
Deandra Dottin holds the record for the longest six in women’s cricket at about 96 meters.
Memorable Long Sixes in World Cup History
1. MS Dhoni – 2011 Final
- Finishing six off Nuwan Kulasekara.
- Though no longer the longest, it became symbolically the largest six in Indian cricket history.
2. Kevin O’Brien – 2011 World Cup
- Massive six inside the quickest World Cup century in opposition to England.
Future of Big Hitting in Cricket
With the rise of T20 leagues, shorter obstacles, and electricity-hitters, lengthy sixes are becoming greater frequent. Players like:
- Liam Livingstone
- Andre Russell
- Rinku Singh
are redefining electricity hitting. The longest six in cricket may quickly be damaged once more as education, bat tech, and participant fitness enhance.
Summary
The longest six in cricket, officially recorded at 158 meters through Shahid Afridi, remains a historic feat. Though the 173-meter claim excites fans, it lacks verification. From IPL to World Cups, large sixes maintain to delight audiences internationally and constitute power, timing, and cricketing greatness.
FAQs
Is the 173-meter six actual?
No respectable body has validated the 173-meter six. It's extensively considered a myth or exaggeration.
Who hit the longest six in IPL history?
Albie Morkel holds the record with 125-meter six inside the IPL.
Which Indian player hit the longest six?
Yuvraj Singh's 120-meter six towards Brett Lee in 2007 is the longest by an Indian in global cricket.
What elements make contributions to hitting long sixes?
Bat velocity, timing, altitude, wind route, and current bats all make a contribution to the period of sixes.
