Rohit Sharma made history on Sunday in Ranchi by shattering the world record for the most sixes in One Day Internationals (ODIs) during a thrilling first ODI against South Africa. The Indian opening batsman surpassed Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi by hitting his 350th ODI six, sending the ball over the boundary multiple times at the JSCA International Stadium.
Opening the batting after South Africa won the toss, Rohit wasted no time showcasing his extraordinary hitting abilities, which propelled India to a commanding start. He struck his record-setting six off left-arm pacer Marco Jansen, adding to an already impressive tally of powerful shots. Rohit hit his 350th six with a spectacular slog-sweep and then matched Afridi’s record of 351 with his subsequent stroke, achieving this milestone with 100 fewer innings.
Rohit has demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout his 17-year career, with 645 sixes across all formats. While Rohit averages a six every 35 deliveries in ODI cricket, Afridi managed one every 19.6 balls during his career, which spanned from 1996 to 2015.
In addition to his record-breaking accomplishments in ODIs, Rohit has also excelled in T20Is, where he holds the distinction of being the only player to hit over 200 sixes, amassing 205 sixes in just 151 innings. His Test career is highlighted by 89 sixes, ranking him among the top hitters in Indian cricket history.
Interestingly, as Rohit made these significant achievements, fellow player Virat Kohli was also making waves with his performance. Kohli emerged as an aggressive force early in the innings, hitting five sixes by the 21st over and forming a formidable partnership with Rohit that yielded over 100 runs.
In the history of ODI six-hitting, Rohit Sharma now stands at the pinnacle, followed closely by Afridi, Chris Gayle, and Sanath Jayasuriya, establishing a new milestone for future generations of cricketers. With such a display of power hitting, Rohit’s achievement is not just a personal victory but a proud moment for Indian cricket, showcasing the talent and potential within the team moving forward.