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MS Dhoni’s Longest Six in Cricket

Originally posted on Crictoday | Last updated Oct 14, 2025 5:16 AM ET

Like a thunderclap rolling across a quiet sky, MS Dhoni can turn calm into chaos with a single swing of the bat. From the moment he strides out from the balcony and into the 22-yard strip, his opponents know that a clean strike is never far away.

Having made his international debut back in late 2004 and serving his nation for the subsequent 15 years, only a handful of players have matched the purity of his power, yielding a breathtaking blend of brute force and pinpoint precision.

While the legendary wicketkeeper-batter tonked 359 maximums in his international career, and countless more in franchise and domestic cricket; one of those towering blows lives on as a prized memory in Dhoni’s legacy. The six in contention was none other than his colossal 112-metre launch back in February 2012, i.e., roughly a year after guiding Team India to World Cup glory in Mumbai.

Which is MS Dhoni’s Highest Ever Six?

The longest ever MS Dhoni six is the stuff of legend, an absolute monster of a hit off Australian fast bowler Clint McKay. With 13 required off the final over against hosts Australia at the Adelaide Oval, Dhoni launched McKay over wide long-on after picking the pacer’s length delivery from outside off stump, bringing the equation down to six required off three balls before eventually notching up the winning runs himself.

Dhoni’s match-sealing hit rose from the ashes of Team India’s humiliating 0-4 drubbing to Australia in the preceding four-match Test series, and a rough 65-run mauling against the same opponents to start off the 2012 Commonwealth Bank ODI tri-series on a disappointing note in February 2012.

MS Dhoni’s 112-metre monster sparked a new hope, one which shone brighter than many of his other towering hits. His match-winning six at the Adelaide Oval is not celebrated purely for its distance. It is also celebrated for its timing, courage, and for lifting a down-and-out Indian team gasping for confidence amidst a dark seven-month phase of overseas international cricket.

Top 5 Iconic Sixes By MS Dhoni That Fans Will Never Forget

Celebrating the biggest MS Dhoni six, here is a look at some of his most iconic maximums and where does his Adelaide Oval special stands among them:

2011 World Cup Final – A Six To End 28-Year-Old Drought

Captain MS Dhoni fittingly notched up the winning runs for Team India in the final of the 2011 World Cup in front of a packed Wankhede crowd, doing so by dispatching Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Kulasekara for a huge six over long-on in the penultimate over of the match.

112m Six vs Australia – MS Dhoni Highest Six

Among all his 359 international sixes, none of them reached the sky as high as his 112-metre thunderclap against Australia fast bowler Clint McKay in the fourth match of the Commonwealth Bank ODI tri-series of 2012. The six also set up path for a Team India win in a topsy-turvy final over, with MS Dhoni acing yet another run-chase with a sublime 44*.

Six To Win Tri-Series vs Sri Lanka In The Caribbean

MS Dhoni powered Team India to a remarkable one-wicket heist against Sri Lanka in Port of Spain to clinch the West Indies ODI tri-series back in July 2013. After undergoing nine successive silent overs, all while batting with the tail, Dhoni whacked Sri Lanka fast bowler Shaminda Eranga for 16 runs in three balls as India won the match with two balls to spare. The winning blow was a slap over extra cover by the then Indian captain.

Huge Six vs Pakistan In 2005

Within his fifth month of international cricket, MS Dhoni demonstrated his big-hitting prowess by launching ace Pakistani spinner Shahid Afridi over the off-side with a front foot scorcher. The six against Afridi was just one of MS Dhoni’s four maximums of the day in his breathtaking knock of 148 off 123 balls in Visakhapatnam.

Helicopter Special From IPL 2012

MS Dhoni unfurled one of the best ‘Helicopter’ shots from his unorthodox batting range back in May 2012 during CSK’s eliminator match against Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2012 season. During the slog overs, the then CSK skipper bashed pace merchant Lasith Malinga for a brutal flick towards his leg side for a soaring six to race to a sweltering 20-ball 51*.

Watch: MS Dhoni’s Longest Six in Action

Relive the sheer power and perfect timing of MS Dhoni’s match-winning six from February 2012, the one that soared 112 meters up in the Adelaide night sky. Watch the exclusive footage as shared by cricket.com.au, feel the icy-tension of that nail-biting final over and experience yourself why this shot remains etched in MS Dhoni’s cricketing triumphs.

How Far Was MS Dhoni’s Longest Six Hit?

As per the ball-tracking estimates as employed by Cricket Australia at the Adelaide Oval, the longest MS Dhoni six reached 112 meters towards the Adelaide skyline on February 12, 2012. In terms of officially recorded distances, the six continues to rank among the longest ever hit by any batter in international cricket.

As one can expect, it was also among the biggest ones hit by any Indian batter, possibly rivalling some of the grandest maximums from fellow hard-hitting Team India legends like Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh. One such Yuvraj Singh six that comes to mind is his 119-meter flick off Brett Lee against Australia in the semifinal of the 2007 T20 World Cup in Durban.

What Makes MS Dhoni’s Six-Hitting Unique?

The technique behind MS Dhoni’s six-hitting is as fascinating as the results themselves. Employing a perfect blend of wrist power, timing, and unshakable calm, the hard-hitting middle-order legend seemingly clears the ropes with minimal fuss yet maximum impact. Here we try to determine as to what exactly sets MS Dhoni apart when it comes to smashing big sixes:

Helicopter shot

In the age of switch hits, reverse sweeps and scoops; MS Dhoni came up with a signature hit of his own, his trademark ‘helicopter shot’. Perfect execution of the shot helps Dhoni to turn even the most awkward yorker-length deliveries into soaring sixes that leave bowlers, fans and commentators alike in awe.

Power from wrists and timing

MS Dhoni generates unbelievable power from his wrists, channelling it through a lightning-quick swing of the bat that turns seemingly tame deliveries into some huge sixes; regardless of the bowler, the boundary length or the playing condition.

Ability to soak pressure

MS Dhoni also tends to remain calm, or masterfully feign calm, even under the most intense pressure. Dhoni’s calm demeanour amidst the chaos helps him pick just the right moment to unleash a quick game-changing six.

Minimal premeditation

Unlike many others, MS Dhoni rarely seems to go and have a bat with a premeditated mindset of hitting sixes. The legendary stumper tends to analyse the situation, and only takes calculated risks after reading the bowler and picking the length.

Do Big Sixes Define MS Dhoni’s Legacy?

While most of MS Dhoni’s sixes have made for grand spectacles, the sheer length of those blows mattered far less than the moments they were illuminated. Time and again, the legendary stumper has reserved his might for the grandest of occasions: be it during late run-chases, finals and other knockouts or improbable equations.

Back in 2008, champion Australian cricketer and fellow wicketkeeping great Adam Gilchrist once said that he would happily buy a ticket just to watch MS Dhoni bat, a sentiment that perfectly captures why fans still come to see those towering sixes from the former Indian captain. A sudden swing from MS Dhoni amid a quiet set-up tends to wrap even the most intense of games in a heartbeat, giving both India and CSK supporters a comforting sense that a victory was never out of reach.

Even today during the twilight of MS Dhoni’s decorated competitive career, his sixes remain a fan favourite on social media. Many of his sixes are still celebrated in countless compilations and montages across YouTube, with fans randomly hitting play during a quick lunch or scrolling through their feed just to catch that familiar crack of the bat sending the ball flying over the ropes.

Final Thoughts About MS Dhoni Sixes

While MS Dhoni confirmed his retirement from international cricket nearly a year after playing his last game for Team India in 2019, the legendary stumper has pretty much immortalised himself into the archives of the nation’s cricketing folklore through some monumental, match-defining and WORLD CUP-winning sixes.

For instance, the line “Dhoni finishes off in style!” can still be echoed today, taking fans back to that unforgettable moment from the 2011 World Cup final when he sealed India’s victory with a towering six over long-on in Mumbai.

However, fans might have their own personal favourite MS Dhoni six or sixes; either based on the thrill of the moment, their memories tied to a certain match or purely for the sheer joy of watching him tilting the tide of a game. Feel free to drop your own personal favourite six in the comments and share why it still gets your heart racing!

FAQs /About MS Dhoni Sixes

Q.1 How long was MS Dhoni’s longest six?

Answer: The longest MS Dhoni six was a 112-metre monster he hit off Australia fast bowler Clint McKay at the Adelaide Oval in match number four of the Commonwealth Bank ODI tri-series 2012.

Q.2 Is MS Dhoni the biggest six-hitter in India?

Answer: MS Dhoni is one of the cleanest ball-strikers in the world, and certainly among the greatest Indian six-hitters alongside fellow hard-hitting radicals like Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh.

Q.3 How many sixes has MS Dhoni hit in international cricket?

Answer: MS Dhoni hit 359 sixes in his international career, which included a staggering haul of 229 maximums in ODIs alone. He unleashed 78 sixes in Test cricket and 52 in T20Is for Team India.

This article first appeared on Crictoday and was syndicated with permission.

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