India reach 400 T20I sixes in a calendar year

India became the first team to hit 400 sixes in T20 internationals in a calendar year, reaching the mark during the fifth match against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 1. The milestone came in India’s 40th T20I of 2026, when the team struck 11 sixes in its innings. Allrounder Naman Dhir hit the six that took India to 400, against Blair Tickner. India had previously set the highest calendar-year total by a full-member nation with 289 sixes in 2022. The earlier overall high in the reported annual list was Austria’s 326 in 2025. India’s tally included 142 sixes against New Zealand, a figure reported as the most any team has hit against one opponent in a calendar year. The total reflects matches across the year, including earlier meetings between the teams and the T20I series in New Zealand. Abhishek Sharma led India’s six-hitting tally with 86, followed by Ishan Kishan with 60 and Sanju Samson with 50. The record was set in a match that New Zealand won. India made 191 for eight batting first, with Kishan scoring 61 and captain Shreyas Iyer making 50. New Zealand chased the target in 18 overs, winning by five wickets. Tim Seifert scored 93 from 50 balls and...