England skipper Ben Stokes becomes only the third cricketer to smash 100 sixes in Test cricket yesterday in the ongoing Test match against New Zealand at Leeds
Newly appointed England skipper Ben Stokes has achieved yet another record in the longest format of the game. He becomes only the third cricketer to smash 100 sixes in Test cricket after current English head coach Brendon McCullum and Australian great Adam Gilchrist.
Ben Stokes achieved this feat yesterday in the ongoing match against New Zealand at Leeds, Headingley. He has now registered 100 sixes in Test cricket in just 151 innings.
In 151 innings, Ben Stokes has amassed 5255 Test runs at an average of 36.24. The 31-year-old has also recorded 11 centuries and 28 half-centuries in the format.
The top spot is occupied by the current head coach of England and former Kiwi opener, Brendon McCullum. McCullum has recorded 107 sixes in 176 innings while aggregating 6453 runs in the format. Former Australia keeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist is at the second with the same amount of sixes as Ben Stokes.
White ball specialist Chris Gayle is in the fourth position on this list with 98 sixes in 182 innings.
The last one on this list is former South African legend all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who registered 97 sixes in 280 innings. Meanwhile, Kalis has smashed 13,289 runs in the format. Let's take a look at the top 5 players on this list of players with the most sixes in Test cricket.
Joe Root vs Sachin Tendulkar – Test Stats Compared: Can Root break Sachin's record
As Joe Root needs only 2915 test runs to catch Sachin Tendulkar to become the highest run getter in test cricket, we bring you a comprehensive Joe Root vs Sachin Tendulkar test career comparison.
One is called the God of Cricket, and the other is perhaps the greatest test batter of his generation. Both Sachin Tendulkar and Joe Root have contributed to test cricket in their own way.
Since Root started his incredible run with the bat in 2021, everyone started the Joe Root vs Sachin Tendulkar comparison in test cricket. Some even suggested that the former English captain might even break Sachin Tendulkar's test record as well.
Before India take on England in another mouthwatering five-test match series, we will try to analyse whose test career is better. Is it Joe Root or Sachin Tendulkar? Who is better in test cricket?
Sachin Tendulkar in test cricket - in numbers
Image - BCCI
Even before we get into comparing the players, we need to get the numbers right.
Sachin, the highest run-getter in test and international cricket, scored 15921 test runs in a record 200 test matches. The Indian legend averaged 53.78 and also scored 51 test tons, which is also a record.
Debuted at the age of 16, soon, Sachin soon became the then second youngest ever test centurion at the age of 17 years 107 days old. Sachin created that record when he smashed an unbeaten 119 against England in Manchester in 1990.
Root till now has played only 153 test matches and has a batting average of 50.80. Since the start of 2022, Root has scored 13 test tons, scoring 3475 runs at an average of 53.46. He is also the highest run scorer in World Test Championship history.
Format
Mat
Inns
NO
Runs
HS
Ave
100s
50s
Tests
153
279
23
13,006
262
50.80
36
65
Other records Root has in his test career:
3rd most test runs in a calendar year (1708, in 2021)
5th most test hundreds (36)
6th most test hundreds in a calendar year (6 in 2021)
Most fifties in consecutive test matches (12)
4th most test fifties (101)
Root vs Sachin in Test Cricket: Comparison
Sachin currently has a lead over Joe Root in every aspect of numbers in test cricket. The master blaster has better records than Root in test cricket.
But to compare them, we will have to compare them with the current number of matches Root has played so far.
Sachin after 153 test matches
Runs: 12152
Innings: 250
Average: 54.25
100s: 39
50s: 51
Highest: 248*
Sachin in wins after 153 tests:
Won: 48 tests
Runs: 4011
Average: 62.67
100s: 13
50s: 16
Root after 153 test matches
Runs: 13006
Innings: 279
Average: 50.80
100s: 36
50s: 65
Highest: 262
Root in wins after 153 test matches:
Wins: 70 tests
Runs: 6999
Average: 64.21
100s: 25
50s: 28
So, if we compare Sachin's record to Joe Root's after 153 test matches, we can see that Root is leading the chart with more runs and more fifties. But, Sachin has a better batting average, more hundreds.
However, in 153 test matches, Root won 70 test matches for England while Sachin had only won 48 test matches as a player. Although their batting averages in winning causes are nearly the same, Root has scored nearly 3000 more test runs on winning occasions for England.
Although Joe Root has scored the most test runs if we compare their stats after 153 test matches, Sachin played nearly five years after playing his 153rd test match in 2008.
Not only that, in those next 47 test matches he played for India, he scored 3769 runs at an average of 52.34 with 12 tons.
Root is currently 34, and can stretch his career for at least 4-5 years if he can stay fit. With the number of test matches England play every season, there is a certain possibility that Root can end up playing more than 200 test matches in his career.
Even if he plays 47 more test matches and bats at least 75 innings, he would need 2915 test runs at an average of 38.87.
With the current form Joe Root is in, this is quite possible for him to get. But, will he be able to keep the form like Sachin had done at the age of 35 and after? That's the question the World Cricket will be eyeing.
Playing test matches is one thing but to win test matches is a whole other ball game as only the best teams are able to win and get better as a test match side. During the 140+ years of test cricket there have been around 2500+ test matches that have been played by the various teams playing and these teams strive to beat the other team in this match and win the series as a result. Winning a test match is the ultimate satisfaction for a team even now. So, let’s look at the statistics of Most Test Wins by a Team since 2010.
The number 5 team in this list is the New Zealand team which has won 52 test matches since 2010 out of a total of 122 test matches played till now. They have lost 46 matches which is not a good record to have and hopefully the win loss difference decreases and they have a total of drawn test matches of 24 and going forward it can be said that their record will improve.
4. South Africa | 66
South Africa have one of the most impressive records in the test cricket as in the 127 test matches they have played in from 2010-2025 , they have been able to win 66 test matches and they have lost 39 matches against good teams as well and they also have drawn 22 test matches. South Africa was barred from cricket as well for a number of years and they were reinstated in 1993 again and their journey hasn’t looked back since.
3. India | 80
After Australia, the third team with most test match wins is the Indian team with 80 test match wins since 2010 in a total of 156 matches. They have also lost 48 matches which is not a good sign as well as they have 28 drawn matches throughout their journey from 2010 and the hope is this record gets better with time and they win more matches than they lose.
2. Australia | 84
Australia have played a total of 157 test matches since 2010 and they have won 84 matches and also lost 48 matches as a side and some of the losses were memorable. And Australia have drawn 25 matches and drawn test matches can be very entertaining as well. Australia will play more test matches as they go along over the years and they will reach 100 test wins really soon as well.
England is the test team with the most number of wins in test matches since 2010. They are the only team who have played over a 190 test matches and they have won 90 matches whereas they have also lost 70 test matches as well which shows they are beaten a lot of times as well and the number of drawn test matches by England are at 31 and as they play along they will win more rest matches as well as lose matches as well.
In the thrilling world of international cricket, hitting sixes remains one of the most entertaining aspects of the game. Over the years, power-hitters have delighted fans by clearing boundaries with ease and rewriting records with their big-hitting skills.
Let's take a look at the batters with most sixes in international cricket history.
Most Sixes in International Cricket History
10. AB de Villiers | 328 Sixes
Former South African player AB de Villiers gets the 10th spot on this list. The former right-handed batsman slammed 328 sixes in international cricket. De Villiers shattered 64 sixes in Tests, 204 in ODIs, and 60 in the shortest format. During his career from 2004 to 2018, De Villiers was known as Mr. 360 due to his ability to smash sixes all over the ground.
9. Eoin Morgan | 346 Sixes
England’s limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan represented both Ireland and England. From 2006 to 2022, he hit 346 sixes in international cricket. The English player has slammed 6 sixes in Tests, 220 in ODIs, and 120 in T20Is. Morgan captained England to their first ICC Cricket World Cup win in 2019.
8. Sanath Jayasuriya | 352 Sixes
Former Sri Lanka cricketer Sanath Jayasurya grabs the 8th spot on this list. Jayasuriya, who played from 1989 to 2011, was widely popular for his ability to smash sixes. The former left-handed batsman slammed 352 sixes in international cricket during his active career. The former Sri Lanka opener smacked 59 sixes in Tests, 270 in ODIs, and 23 in T20Is. Jayasuriya retired in 2011 from international cricket.
7. MS Dhoni | 359 Sixes
Former Indian captain and wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni bags 7th spot in this list. Dhoni accounts for 359 sixes in international cricket. Dhoni, who played for India from 2004 to 2019, slammed 78 sixes in Tests and 229 in ODIs. The wicketkeeper-batsman slammed 52 sixes in the shortest format as well. His leadership and batting prowess led India to numerous victories, including the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.
6. Jos Buttler | 369 Sixes
Jos Buttler, England's dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman, has been a key player since his debut in 2011. By 2025, he amassed 369 sixes in international cricket. Buttler's innovative stroke play and aggressive batting have been instrumental in England's recent successes.
5. Martin Guptill | 383 Sixes
Martin Guptill, another prominent New Zealand batsman, has been a consistent performer since his debut in 2009. As of 2022, he has hit 383 sixes in international cricket. In Tests, the right-handed batsman has shattered 23 sixes. The opening batsman has also slammed 187 sixes in ODIs and 173 sixes in T20Is.
Former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum grabs the 4th spot in this list. The former right-handed batsman accounts for 398 sixes in international cricket. The former Kiwi opener slammed 107 sixes in Tests, 200 in ODIs, and 91 in T20Is. Mccullum played for New Zealand from 2002 to 2016.
3. Shahid Afridi | 476 Sixes
Shahid Afridi, affectionately known as "Boom Boom," was famous for his explosive batting style. Representing Pakistan from 1996 to 2018, Afridi hit 476 sixes in international cricket. The former Pakistan skipper accounts for 52 sixes in Tests, 351 in ODIs, and 73 in T20Is. Afridi retired from international cricket in 2018.
2. Chris Gayle | 553 Sixes
West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle steals the second spot in this list. Gayle, known as the "Universe Boss," is one of the most destructive batsmen in cricket history. Over his career spanning from 1999 to 2021, he amassed 553 sixes in international cricket. Gayle has slammed 98 sixes in Tests, 331 sixes in ODIs, and 124 sixes in T20Is.
1. Rohit Sharma | 637 Sixes
Rohit Sharma, the current captain of the Indian cricket team in ODI formats, is renowned for his exceptional batting prowess. He holds the record for the most sixes in international cricket, with a total of 637 sixes across all formats. Notably, he also holds the record for the highest individual score in a One Day International (ODI) match, with 264 runs.
"India will miss his fighting spirit.. it's going to be a shame not to play against him": Ben Stokes on Virat Kohli's absence in England series
The England skipper recently shared his thoughts when asked about what India will miss in Kohli ahead of their test clash. "India will miss his fighting spirit" says Ben Stokes on Virat Kohli's absence in England series. Discover what else he said.
The cricketing world is buzzing with discussions surrounding the upcoming IND vs ENG series, and a voice has highlighted a significant void: the absence of Virat Kohli. England's Test captain, Ben Stokes, has openly expressed his belief that India will feel the lack of Kohli's renowned "fighting spirit" and other things on the field.
Stokes also revealed how he texted Kohli after his decision to retire and term it as a shame he won't be there to play in the field.
This statement from an opponent shows the immense impact Kohli has left and the challenge India faces in a crucial series without one of its finest test players.
Check the full story of Ben Stokes on Virat Kohli's absence in England series:
Ben Stokes on Virat Kohli's absence in England series
Ben Stokes and Virat Kohli. Image | Instagram
Ben Stokes has analysed how Virat Kohli's absence can affect India, 2 days prior the test series against England. When asked about what India will miss in Kohli after he decided to step down from tests, here's how the English skipper replied:
"I think what India will miss, will be his fighting spirit out in the game, his competitiveness, desire to win." He further goes on to add "It will be weird to not see number 18 at the back of any Indian shirt. I did text him saying it's going to be a shame not to play against him because I love playing against Virat."
Stokes also shared how he feels both Kohli and him have the same mindset when out in the field, and addressed the fact that he has done really well against England in his test career.
England: Ben Stokes (c), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes
Harshit Rana called up to join India's Test squad for England series as backup
The rising young pacer Harshit Rana called up to join India's Test squad for England series as backup. Discover the reason behind this last-minute key addition for the upcoming intense clash starting from June 20, 2025.
The BCCI has made a strategic last-minute addition to the India's Test squad for England tour (starts June 20, 2025) which will mark the beginning of Shubman Gill's captaincy era. It is now official that Harshit Rana called up to join India's Test squad for England series as backup.
He has not been officially added to the squad but has travelled to Leeds as an unofficial cover for the team. Check the full story below:
Harshit Rana's inclusion as a backup in India's Test squad against England
Harshit Rana representing India in tests. Image | Instagram
Harshit Rana's journey in England has taken a significant turn as he has been asked to stay with the senior Indian Test squad for the upcoming series. He was initially part of the India A team that toured England.
During this time, Rana played two unofficial test matches against England Lions where he contributed with the ball (took an important wicket) and bat (scored 16 runs).
He was also involved in an intra-squad practice match in Beckenham, providing him further opportunities to showcase his skills in front of the senior team.
Following these engagements, the team management have decided to extend his stay and include him as backup. "Please don't count him as an official member of the squad as yet,” a top BCCI official told Cricbuzz to confirm Rana's presence.
The potential reason behind the call-up:
India's Test squad for England series. Image | Instagram
Rana's inclusion (even as a backup) provides crucial depth and flexibility, and gives them diverse options to adapt to various pitch conditions throughout the demanding series.