by Cricket fans around the world witnessed a historic moment as Rohit Sharma, one of the modern era’s most destructive batters, shattered a long-standing ODI record previously held by Pakistan legend Shahid Afridi. With a breathtaking display of timing, power, and elegance, Rohit surged past Afridi’s tally of 351 sixes, becoming the cricketer with the most sixes in the history of One Day Internationals.
This wasn’t just a record breaking; it was the rewriting of cricketing history. For 15 years, Afridi’s numbers had stood tall—challenged but never conquered. Until Rohit Sharma stepped up.
⭐ The Moment That Made History
The record was broken during the first ODI of India’s series against South Africa in Ranchi. Rohit walked in knowing he needed three sixes to surpass Afridi.
What followed was classic Rohit Sharma:
- A pair of towering sixes off a spinner to equal the record
- And then… a trademark short-arm pull off a fast bowler, soaring deep into the stands, sealing his place in cricketing history
The stadium erupted. Teammates applauded. The world celebrated.
Rohit finished with a fluent half-century, but the highlight was, without question, the six that marked the dawn of a new ODI milestone.
📊 ODI Sixes: A New Leaderboard
Here’s how the all-time top five look now:
| Rank | Player | ODI Sixes | Career Span |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rohit Sharma (India) | 352+ | 2007–present |
| 2 | Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) | 351 | 1996–2015 |
| 3 | Chris Gayle (West Indies) | 331 | 1999–2019 |
| 4 | Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) | 270 | 1989–2011 |
| 5 | MS Dhoni (India) | 229 | 2004–2019 |
What makes Rohit’s achievement even more impressive is the efficiency with which he reached the summit. While Afridi took 369 innings to collect 351 sixes, Rohit crossed the same mark in significantly fewer innings, showcasing not just power but consistency and match awareness.
🧩 The Evolution of Rohit Sharma: From Talent to Six-Hitting Maestro
Rohit’s journey hasn’t been linear. Early in his career, he was seen more as a stylist than a hitter—someone who could time the ball beautifully but wasn’t the most aggressive batter. His six-hitting numbers were modest.
But everything changed once he was promoted to open the innings.
Phase 1: The Early Years
- Observed elegance over aggression
- Sixes were occasional, not central to his game
- Learning curve focused more on stability and shot-making
Phase 2: The Rise of the Hitman
- Transformation after becoming a full-time opener
- Development of signature strokes: the pull shot, lofted straight drive, inside-out bombs over cover
- Rapid growth in six-hitting frequency
Phase 3: The Captaincy Era
- Surprisingly, captaincy made him more aggressive
- Strike rate improved
- Sixes per innings reached career-high numbers
- Improved fitness and power hitting underlined his game
This evolution explains why Rohit’s six tally exploded in the second half of his career—and why his overall career numbers break almost every pattern seen before.
🔥 Why Rohit Sharma’s Six-Hitting Is Unique
Many players hit sixes. Only a few make it look poetic. Rohit belongs to the latter group. Here’s what makes him exceptional:
1. Effortless Timing
Unlike brute-force hitters, Rohit relies heavily on timing. Even mis-hits sometimes clear the ropes because his technique creates such clean contact.
2. The Pull Shot Master
Rohit’s pull shot is not just iconic—it is arguably the best in world cricket. He reads the short ball early, positions perfectly, and sends it miles into the stands.
3. Dominance Against Both Pace & Spin
He hits pacers with authority.
He dances down to spinners with grace.
His versatility is unmatched.
4. Big-Match Temperament
Many of his sixes come on big stages—Champions Trophy, World Cups, and series deciders. Pressure doesn’t tame him; it fuels him.
🏆 A Record Built for Longevity
What sets Rohit apart from other six hitters is the blend of:
- Longevity
- Adaptability to modern cricket
- Experience as an opener
- Remarkable consistency across different regions
- Ability to dominate both early and late in innings
Given his current form and fitness, he is not done yet. Hitting 400 ODI sixes isn’t impossible if he continues for a couple more seasons.
If that happens, the new record may stand for even longer than 15 years.
🌟 What This Means for Cricket
Rohit’s record comes in an era where ODIs are evolving. With fewer matches being played compared to earlier decades, breaking long-standing records is becoming harder.
Yet, Rohit has achieved a milestone that blends classic ODI batting with modern aggression. His record is more than just a number; it is a testament to:
- The changing nature of limited-overs cricket
- The increasing importance of strike rate
- The role of openers in setting match tempo
- The fine balance between skill and power
