Indian cricket got another moment of glory on November 1, 2026 as Team India became the first side in men’s T20 International cricket to hit 400 sixes in a calendar year. It was achieved during the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Even though India lost the match by seven wickets, there was plenty for them to celebrate. It showed India’s aggressive batting style and growing dominance in the shortest format of international cricket.
India reached 400-six in just 40 T20Is in 2026 which is a new benchmark for any international team.
Naman Dhir Hits India's Historic 400th Six
The record-breaking moment came in the 19th over of India’s innings. Batter Naman Dhir hit a six off New Zealand bowler Blair Tickner to take India’s calendar year tally to 400.
It was a special moment for the Indian team as well with the six adding another feather to an already impressive year in T20I cricket.
India needed 11 sixes in the fifth T20I to get there and they got them — the batters scored exactly 11 maximums during their innings.
Abhishek Sharma Leads India's Six-Hitting Charts
India’s record has been built by several aggressive batters.
Abhishek Sharma is the top scorer with 86 sixes in T20Is during 2026, Ishan Kishan has 60 while Sanju Samson has 50.
These numbers show how important India’s top-order batters are in keeping an attacking mindset from the first ball of an innings.
India’s six-hitting has also been impressive against New Zealand. Of the 400 sixes hit by India in the year, 142 have come against Black Caps — the most they have hit against any one opponent in a calendar year.
India Goes Past Previous Records
Austria had held the overall calendar-year record with 326 sixes in 2025 before India did it. India had previously set a full-member nation record of 289 sixes in 2022 (highest among full members).
By 400 in 2026 India have moved well beyond their best and set a new standard for men’s T20I cricket.
The achievement also shows how power-hitting has become an important part of modern T20 cricket — Indian batters are looking to score boundaries now rather than singles and doubles alone.
Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer Power India's Innings
The record was set in an innings when India fought back from an early setback.
After losing two wickets for 19 runs Ishan Kishan and captain Shreyas Iyer put on a crucial partnership. Kishan made 61 off 31 balls with five fours and six sixes and Iyer made 50 off 23 balls with four sixes.
Naman Dhir scored 33 runs as India finished on 191/8 but New Zealand chased down the target with seven wickets to spare (Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips scoring strongly).
A Record-Breaking Year for Indian Cricket
400 sixes is more than just a statistic. It shows India’s attacking intent, depth in batting and ability to put on powerful performances in different matches.
The defeat in Hamilton will not overshadow India’s historic feat as one of the major highlights of their 2026 T20I campaign. They have now set a benchmark which other international sides will look to break.
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