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Sixes Galore: The Rise of Power-Hitters Reshaping T20 Cricket
20 Aug
Summary
- Coaches forced to change approach as batters prioritize six-hitting
- T20 format evolving beyond ODI template, with sixes becoming the new currency
- Six-hitting frequency increasing rapidly, from once every 27 balls in 2012 to once every 12.76 balls in IPL 2025

The world of T20 cricket has witnessed a remarkable shift in the past decade, with the art of six-hitting becoming the new currency of the game. Coaches, once known for reprimanding players for not playing in the 'V', are now forced to adapt their approaches to accommodate the rise of power-hitters.
In 2025, the T20 format has firmly established its own identity, moving beyond the traditional ODI template. Scoring quickly has become more valuable than preserving wickets, leading to the stacking of middle-order lineups with players capable of clearing the ropes at will. The six-hitting revolution has been fueled by the emergence of specialists like Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, whose ability to maximize runs per delivery has made them invaluable assets.
The data speaks volumes: in 2025, Australia struck 92 sixes in just 8 T20Is, averaging one every 9.5 balls, while West Indies hit a staggering 157 sixes in 13 matches at a rate of one every 9.2 balls in 2023. This trend is not limited to international cricket, as the IPL has also witnessed a dramatic increase in six-hitting, from one every 20.3 balls in 2021 to a stunning frequency of one every 12.76 balls in 2025.
As the T20 format continues to evolve, the role of coaches has also undergone a transformation. Priyansh Arya's 39-ball century against Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025 forced his coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, to adapt his coaching craft to accommodate this new style of batting. The days of T20 cricket resembling a shortened version of ODIs are long gone, and the future promises even more sixes, higher scores, and a further push towards the margins for bowlers.