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Top five batters with most sixes in a calendar year in Test cricket

Batters must work hard to score runs against disciplined bowling attacks in Test cricket, which is commonly associated with traits like patience and focus. Some batters, on the other hand, have challenged this notion by playing in a more aggressive style.

By taking calculated chances and pursuing the bowlers, the batters can disrupt the bowler's line, length, and confidence in addition to scoring runs quickly.

The traditional batting technique in Test cricket has typically been questioned by batters who have opted to play in this manner. Besides that, they have given the fans a lot of entertainment. 

In this article, we will examine the top five batters in Test cricket who have hit the most sixes in a calendar year. 

5. Virender Sehwag – 21 sixes, 2008

Virender Sehwag - Top five batters with most sixes in a calendar year in Test cricket
Virender Sehwag (Credits - ESPN)

In 2008, Virender Sehwag, who was nicknamed the "Sultan of Multan" for his lengthy innings against Pakistan, hit 21 sixes in Test cricket. It is noteworthy that Sehwag played a record-breaking innings of 319 runs against South Africa in Chennai in the same year.

Sehwag transformed the perception of opening in Test matches. Challenging the textbook approach where batsmen are taught to take the shine away from the new ball by leaving as many deliveries as possible, Sehwag took the shine away by hitting the ball to the boundary.

4. Adam Gilchrist – 22, 2005

Adam Gilchrist - Top five batters with most sixes in a calendar year in Test cricket
Adam Gilchrist (Credits - Sky Sports)

Hailed as arguably the greatest wicket-keeper batter in Test cricket history, Adam Gilchrist made the record for Australia by hitting 22 sixes in 2005. With a century in just 57 balls at his home ground of Perth, Gilchrist also holds the record for the fastest test century by an Australian player.

The left-hander is widely acknowledged for having transformed the wicket-keeping position in the longest format. Gilchrist set the standard for keepers by routinely scoring important runs lower down the order, despite the position's traditional emphasis on strong glove work.

3. Ben Stokes – 26, 2022

Ben Stokes - Top five batters with most sixes in a calendar year in Test cricket
Ben Stokes (Credits - ECB)

England test captain Ben Stokes is credited with revolutionizing the England cricket team's style of play. captain-coach combination of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes.

Ben Stokes created history for England when he smashed 26 sixes in 2022, the same year in which England adopted the Bazball style under McCullum.

2. Yashasvi Jaiswal – 32, 2024

Yashasvi Jaiswal - Top five batters with most sixes in a calendar year in Test cricket
Yashasvi Jaiswal (Credits - Times of India)

With 32 sixes in 2024, Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal holds the record for the most sixes by an Indian batter in a calendar year in Test cricket. Jaiswal, renowned for his flamboyant style, is considered the next big thing in cricket.

For Jaiswal, 2024 has been a remarkable year. With 712 runs in nine innings during the five-match test series against England, the southpaw was India's top run scorer. His ability to attack both fast bowlers and spinners makes him one of the world's most exciting talents.

1. Brendon McCullum – 33, 2014

Brendon McCullum - Top five batters with most sixes in a calendar year in Test cricket
Brendon McCullum (Credits - ESPN)

Brendon McCullum, the former captain of New Zealand, holds the record for the most sixes in a year in Test cricket. In 2014, McCullum, who is renowned for his explosive and fearless style, hit a record 33 sixes in the longest format. In the same year, he pulled New Zealand out of the jaws of defeat with his highest score of 302 against India.

A few years later, McCullum was appointed England's test team coach. As a coach, he filled the England side with proactiveness, freedom and fearlessness, revolutionizing test cricket with ‘Bazball.’

Cover Credits - Sky Sports

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