Rohit Sharma becomes first Indian, second batter overall to hit 300 sixes in ODIs

Star India skipper Rohit Sharma etched his name once more in the history books after he became the first Indian batter and second overall to hit 300 sixes in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Rohit achieved the remarkable feat during India’s ODI loss in the second ODI to Sri Lanka in the ongoing series.

Aiming to chase a target of 214 runs, Rohit propelled India to a blistering start, scoring 64 runs in 44 deliveries. His knock included four towering sixes and five elegant fours.

The innings brought his career tally of sixes as an opener to an impressive 302 from 177 matches. He is only behind former Windies batter Chris Gayle, who has smashed 328 sixes in 280 games. 

Furthermore, former Sri Lanka batter Sanath Jayasuriya ranks third on the list with 263 sixes from 388 ODIs. Talking about overall statistics, Rohit Sharma stands in third place with 330 sixes in 264 matches. In second place is Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi who has 351 sixes from 398 games, and Chris Gayle, who is just one six ahead with 331 sixes from 301 matches.

The India skipper also holds the record for most sixes by an Indian player in ODI cricket. He surpasses the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni. Across all three formats, Rohit Sharma also leads the charts for most sixes with 619 sixes from 482 matches. 

Being one of the most destructive batters in the game, Rohit did propel India to an impeccable start against Sri Lanka. However, due to the Men in Blue losing wickets in quick succession in the second ODI, the visitors failed to chase down the target. 

After Rohit, Axar Patel was the highest run-getter for India with 44 runs in just as many deliveries. However, as the rest of the batters failed to go big, India missed out on the target and lost the game by 32 runs.