Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has etched his name into the history books, officially becoming the greatest six-hitter the 50-over format has ever seen. The monumental achievement was unlocked on Sunday during the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi, where the 'Hitman' surpassed the legendary Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi.
A Historic Moment in Ranchi
Walking onto the field with 349 sixes to his name, Sharma needed two massive hits to draw level with Afridi's tally of 351. He did so in spectacular fashion, sending South Africa's Prenelan Subrayen for back-to-back maximums. The record-breaking moment arrived in the 20th over of the Indian innings. Facing the pace of Marco Jansen, Sharma executed a classic pull shot that sailed over the boundary, taking his tally to 352 sixes and claiming the top spot outright.
The Elite List of Six-Hitters
This new world record solidifies Rohit Sharma's reputation as one of the most destructive batsmen in the limited-overs game. The updated list of the top five players with the most international sixes in ODIs is a who's who of cricket's biggest power-hitters. Following Sharma and Afridi is West Indies' Chris Gayle with 331 sixes. Sri Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya occupies the fourth position with 270 maximums, while former Indian captain MS Dhoni rounds out the top five with 229 sixes.
A Legacy of Power and Precision
Although his innings was eventually cut short for 57 runs by Marco Jansen, the damage was already done, and history was made. This achievement is a testament to Rohit Sharma's long-standing ability to clear the ropes with remarkable consistency and elegance. It adds another prestigious feather to his already illustrious cap, further cementing his legacy as a modern-day great of Indian cricket and a global batting superstar.
