India’s captain and star opener Rohit Sharma has officially rewritten the record books in One Day International cricket, surpassing Shahid Afridi to become the player with the most sixes in ODI history. The Indian opener achieved this historic milestone during the opening match of the ODI series against South Africa, where he struck three towering sixes to take his career tally to 353.
For nearly a decade, Afridi had held the record with 352 sixes, a feat set before his retirement from ODI cricket in 2015. His reputation as one of the most explosive hitters in the modern game remained untouched for years—until Sharma, known for his exceptional timing and effortless power, finally overtook him.
What makes Rohit’s achievement even more remarkable is the speed at which he reached the record. Afridi played 369 innings to accumulate his 352 sixes, whereas Rohit surpassed the mark in just 268 innings—over a hundred innings fewer. This efficiency not only highlights Rohit’s consistency but also underlines the evolution of his aggressive yet controlled batting approach.
Behind them sits West Indian legend Chris Gayle, third on the all-time list with 331 sixes. Sri Lankan maestro Sanath Jayasuriya stands fourth with 270, followed by India’s own MS Dhoni, who smashed 229 sixes in his illustrious ODI career. Of the top five, Rohit Sharma is the only active player, meaning the new record is likely to stretch considerably in the coming years.
Rohit’s return to ODI cricket after a seven-month break has been nothing short of impressive. Recently reclaiming the top spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings, he has demonstrated commanding form and renewed focus. With today’s record-breaking feat, he has further reinforced his status as one of the most decorated limited-overs batsmen of the generation.