Batting superstar Rohit Sharma has etched his name in the record books, becoming the player with the most sixes in the history of One-Day International (ODI) cricket. The former India captain achieved the monumental feat on Sunday during the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi, surpassing Pakistan’s legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi.
Rohit, who came into the match needing three maximums to break the record, reached the landmark by hammering three powerful sixes during his aggressive knock of 57 runs off 51 balls.
Record Shattered in 100 Fewer Innings
The 38-year-old right-hander first equalled Afridi’s long-standing record of 351 sixes by smashing two consecutive slog-sweeps off South African off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen in the 15th over. Shortly after completing his 60th ODI half-century, Rohit shattered the record with his 352nd six—a trademark pull shot off pacer Marco Jansen over the fine leg boundary.
Crucially, Rohit achieved the milestone in his 277th match and in approximately 100 fewer innings than Afridi, highlighting his unprecedented hitting efficiency in the 50-over format.
| Player | Sixes | Matches | Innings |
| Rohit Sharma | 352 | 277 | 270 |
| Shahid Afridi | 351 | 369 | 369 |
| Chris Gayle | 331 | 301 | 294 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 270 | 445 | 433 |
| MS Dhoni | 229 | 350 | 297 |
The innings saw Rohit overcome an early reprieve, as he was dropped on 1 by Tony de Zorzi. He capitalized fully, building a formidable 136-run partnership off 109 balls with Virat Kohli for the second wicket, continuing the pair’s excellent form from the recent Australia tour.
The record cements Rohit Sharma’s status as one of the most destructive white-ball batsmen in the game. He already holds the record for the most sixes in T20 Internationals, taking his overall tally of international sixes to 645, another world record.