World Cup 2019: Four players likely to break the record for most sixes in an ODI innings 

The white-ball format in the modern-day cricket has been fairly owned by batsmen. Although we have witnessed good bowlers, it is the batsmen who have dominated the game. The flat pitches, usage of two balls, field restrictions, short boundaries, thick bats and other factors have made the game easier for the batsman. In the first ten years of this century (2000-10), there were 273 300+ totals but the number has risen to 329 since 2011.

The batsmen are able to hit sixes very easily and the teams have posted big scores on the board. It is tough to hit maximums throughout the innings but has been a bit easier in the modern-day cricket. The current record of most sixes (16) in an ODI inning is held by three players - Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle.

It won't be an easy task to break this record for any player but it is possible in this World Cup. The flat decks and grounds with short boundaries in England will make it a little easier for the attacking players in the World Cup 2019. Also, it is practically possible for only top order batsmen to break this record as they get the chance to face the maximum number of balls in the match.

We mention four such players who are capable to break the record of hitting the most number of sixes in an ODI innings.

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#4 Martin Guptill

Martin Guptill

The Kiwi batsman Martin Guptill is also one of the four batsmen who can break the mentioned record in this World Cup. Guptil's knock of 237* runs against West Indies in the previous World Cup is the highest individual score in the tournament's history. Among all the New Zealand openers, the top three highest individual scores (237*, 189*, 180*) are of Guptill. He is one of the best stroke-players in the world and has been a proven match-winner for years.

Despite not having a good Test career, Guptill has been very successful in limited overs cricket. Guptill has smashed 166 sixes so far which is the second highest for any Kiwi batsman.

The 32-year-old batsman was the top scorer for New Zealand in last two World Cups. He was also the highest run-getter in World Cup 2015 in which his team ended the tournament as runners-up. The Auckland-born batsman has been in excellent form in 2019 and the Kiwis will expect him to carry the same in the big event.

#3 Chris Gayle

Chris Gayle

The 'Universe Boss' Chris Gayle has been in great form of late and has already scored 50 in their first match against Pakistan in this World Cup. The 39-year-old is back on the track in 2019 when is heading to the end of his amazing cricket career.

The Jamaican batsman has scored 474 runs with two centuries in just 5 ODI innings in 2019. The explosive batsman also boasts of the best batting average (94.80) and the best batting strike-rate (135.43) among all the West Indies batsman in 2019.

The attacking opener Gayle can hit big sixes easily because of his power and no ground is big enough for him. The big man has smacked 317 maximums in ODIs which is second highest after Shahid Afridi. The southpaw was the first player and is only of the two players who have scored a double-century in the World Cup.

He had also smashed 16 sixes when he scored his double-century against Zimbabwe in WC 2015. Peaking at the right time again, the legend is playing his last World Cup and the dangerous man will try to have a good farewell.

#2 Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow:

The dangerous English batsman Jonny Bairstow is one of the best openers currently in One-Day Internationals. The 29-year-old batsman has amassed 1682 runs with an average of about 51 and an excellent strike-rate of more than 115 in just 36 innings he has played as an opener.

Bairstow has the temperament to play big knocks and has the ability to hit huge sixes easily. The Yorkshire-born has been a regular opener for England since 2017 and has hit 41 maximums while opening the innings for his team.

England has a strong batting unit and it allows their openers to play the attacking game from the very first ball. Bairstow can break the record of the most sixes in an inning in this World Cup. Bairstow's home country England has been very special for him as a batsman.

The wicket-keeper batsman averages 60.58 in England which is highest for him in any country in which he has played more than a match. The World Cup 2019 is also scheduled in England and Bairstow will try to make the most of it.

#1 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma

The dashing Indian opener Rohit Sharma holds the joint record of hitting the most number of sixes in an innings and is one of the contenders to break this record. Rohit smashed 16 sixes against Australia at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore when the talented batsman scored 209 runs.

Rohit is also the only player on the planet to score three double-centuries in One-Day Internationals. The elegant batsman also boasts the record of the highest individual score (264) in an ODI innings.

The 32-year-old batsman takes time in the beginning but becomes very dangerous when he gets set. The attacking batsman Rohit has the capability to smack big maximums at his will and can destroy any bowling attack on his day. He can destroy even the best bowling attack when he is in rhythm.

After the World Cup 2015, the fearless batsman has smashed 130 sixes in ODI cricket which is the highest among all the players. His recent form has not been very good but the experienced player got good starts regularly in the Indian Premier League. There is no doubt that he can play some big knocks in the World Cup.