In a moment that will be remembered in the history of cricket, Rohit Sharma rewrote the records during the very opening One Day International between India and South Africa, held at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. With a massive strike that flew beyond the boundaries, Rohit smashed his 352nd six in the ODIs — a hit that was not just an important personal milestone, but also confirmed his standing as the best six-hitter in the history of ODIs.
The throne was taken from an ancient legend
Prior to this game the record for the most Sixes during ODI cricket went to Shahid Afridi of Pakistan, with 351 of them — a record that was uncontested for many years. This time, Rohit, who entered the match with 349 sixes in his record, required just three more to break Afridi’s record. He scored 351 and 350 two consecutive hits on the boundary before hitting a third shot to the side of the stadium to reach the 352-six milestone.
The thing that makes the feat amazing is the speed at that it was accomplished. Rohit achieved this record in only 269 innings – which is 100 fewer innings than Afridi required and proving not just his consistency but also the explosive way he scored 6es.
An examination of the legendary six-hitting team of all time
At present the top five batters of sixes ODI cricket is:
| Rank | Batter | Team | Sixes (ODIs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rohit Sharma | India | 352 |
| 2 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 351 |
| 3 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 331 |
| 4 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 270 |
| 5 | MS Dhoni | India | 229 |
In a way, he has surpassed names like Afridi, Gayle, and Jayasuriya, all of who dominated the charts of power-hitting for a long time — Rohit’s ascendance towards the peak of this list signifies the beginning of a new era in ODI batsmen.
Shows in the spotlight
In the game with South Africa, Rohit wasn’t simply completing milestones, butHe was anchored India’s innings. In the first innings, playing alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal Rohit was calm even when the young southpaw was slashed early. Alongside Virat Kohli Rohit put together a century or more, laying the groundwork for a high-scoring total. He eventually left the field after scoring 57 runs off 51 balls. He smashed 5 fours as well as 3 sixes.
India continued to record 349/8 and fended the South African chase off and proved Rohit’s contribution to the sport was more than records.
The importance of this record
The record for the most sixes scored in ODI history is more than only a statistic It’s a testament to Rohit’s endurance, ability to read the game, and his timing. In contrast to many players who depend on power alone, Rohit combines classical timing with precise positioning and the ability to read the game. His ability to reached this feat in less time than his predecessors is an indication of his consistency and strength throughout the years.
In addition, his six-hitting style isn’t a one-dimensional. In his long professional career Rohit is a slayer of both pacers and spinners, across different eras, grounds, and formats — showing versatility as well as the raw force.
The bigger picture
By breaking this record Rohit did more than simply rewrite statistical charts — he has set the bar for the next generation. Rohit’s feat exemplifies the modern day batter in the 50-over format looks like: confident but grounded, dynamism and stable. Fans will be treated to an occasion to celebrate. For the young players this is a huge goal to strive for.
While others continue to pursue his record Rohit’s place at the top seems safe at the moment. With his current form and his determination to play ODIs, it’s possible that his record will go to the limit before anyone else gets even close.
