Rohit Sharma Breaks ODI Sixes Record

Rohit Sharma etched his name into cricketing history by breaking the record for the most sixes in One Day Internationals (ODIs) during the first match against South Africa in Ranchi. With 351 sixes, he surpassed Shahid Afridi, who had held the record for 15 years.

Early Days: A Modest Beginning

Rohit’s journey as a six-hitter started slowly. In his early ODI career, he was far from a power-hitting sensation. He hit his first six in his third innings against Pakistan in Jaipur. By the time he scored his maiden hundred in May 2010, during his 40th innings, Rohit had only five sixes in 1023 balls faced.

Turning Point: The Double-Century Explosion

Rohit’s transformation came three years later in Bengaluru against Australia. He smashed 16 sixes in a single innings, setting a record for most sixes in an ODI innings at the time. This innings marked his first of three double-centuries, a turning point that saw his six-hitting prowess soar. Prior to this, he had hit only 36 sixes in 102 innings, averaging 102.14 balls per six.

Rapid Rise: From Good to Great

Following his breakthrough, Rohit’s six-hitting accelerated dramatically. He smashed 316 sixes in 167 innings, averaging one six every 27.35 balls. During this period, only Jos Buttler (171) and Eoin Morgan (155) had hit more than 150 sixes in ODIs. Since becoming India’s all-format captain in 2022, his efficiency improved further, averaging 17.69 balls per six, with 107 sixes in 46 innings.

Leadership and Record-Breaking Form

Rohit’s dominance continued after taking over as India’s ODI captain. He struck 126 sixes in 55 innings, maintaining a ratio of 17.76 balls per six. Only Eoin Morgan, with 147 sixes in 115 innings, has surpassed him in six-hitting as an ODI captain.

Notable Six-Hitting Records

• Most sixes against a team: 93 vs Australia
• Most sixes in a country: 182 in India
• Most sixes in a year: 67 in 2023
• Most sixes in ODI World Cups: 54, including 31 in the 2023 edition

Analyzing the Masters: Bowler Breakdown

Rohit has targeted both spinners and pacers with devastating efficiency. Highlights include:

• Glenn Maxwell: 10 sixes off 128 balls
• Shadab Khan: 8 sixes off 102 balls
• Fast bowlers: 7 sixes each off Clint McKay, Kane Richardson, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins
• Marco Jansen: Conceded Rohit’s record-breaking 352nd six

In total, Rohit hit 232 sixes off fast bowlers and 120 against spinners, with 123 of his pace sixes coming from the pull or hook shot. His preferred zone is from backward square-leg to deep midwicket, accounting for 188 of his 352 sixes.

Sixes by Overs

• First 10 overs: 130 sixes (second only to Chris Gayle)
• Overs 11–40: 170 sixes (most by any batter)
• Final 10 overs: 52 sixes

Evolution of the Record

The ODI six-hitting record changed hands 18 times before Rohit. Starting with Ian Chappell in 1971, it passed through legendary names like Richard Hadlee, Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards, Sanath Jayasuriya, Sachin Tendulkar, and Shahid Afridi. Richards held it for a remarkable 6091 days, while Afridi reigned for 5641 days until Rohit broke the record.

Can Rohit’s Record Be Broken?

Among active players, Jos Buttler (182 sixes) and Virat Kohli (159 sixes) trail Rohit. Both are over 35, while the most prolific under-30 player, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, has 70 sixes. With a few more years of cricket, Rohit could become the first player to hit 400 sixes in ODIs, cementing a record that may stand for years.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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