Rohit Sharma etched his name in cricket history on Sunday by breaking Shahid Afridi’s long-standing record for the most sixes in One-Day International cricket. The Indian batting stalwart achieved this monumental milestone during the first ODI against South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, taking his career tally to 352 maximums and moving past Afridi’s 351.
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The Historic Moment in Ranchi
It was poetic that Rohit Sharma scripted history in his usual fashion. When Marco Jansen banged in short from around the wicket, the former Indian captain stood tall and pulled it over the fine leg fielder for a maximum. It was number 352 for Rohit and he now becomes the player with the most sixes in one-day international history.
Rohit came into this series with 349 sixes in his account and just two behind Afridi, who hit 351 in 398 matches in ODI cricket between 1996 to 2015. The 38-year-old right-hander needed only three sixes in the Ranchi match to rewrite the record books and claim the crown as ODI cricket’s all-time six-hitting king.
Breaking Down the Record-Breaking Innings
Batting first at the JSCA International Stadium, Rohit Sharma looked in full command after Yashasvi Jaiswal’s early dismissal. He joined forces with Virat Kohli to steady the innings, and the pair stitched together a superb 136-run stand for the second wicket, keeping the scoreboard moving and putting the South African bowlers under sustained pressure.
In the 15th over, Rohit hit Prenelan Subrayen for back-to-back sixes over deep midwicket. The first six marked Rohit’s 350th career maximum, making him the only Indian batter to reach the feat in ODIs. The second six brought him level with Afridi’s record at 351 sixes. Four overs later, after bringing up his 60th ODI half-century in the 19th over, Rohit notched up his 352nd ODI six to climb to the top of the elite list.
Rohit’s innings came to an end in the 22nd over when Marco Jansen trapped him lbw. He scored 57 off 51 balls, including five fours and three sixes. Despite the dismissal, his knock gave India a strong platform and ensured his name would forever be associated with one of ODI cricket’s most prestigious records.
| Stat Category | Rohit Sharma – Record-Breaking Performance |
|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 57 |
| Balls Faced | 51 |
| Fours | 5 |
| Sixes | 3 |
| Strike Rate | 111.76 |
| ODI Fifty Number | 60th |
| Total ODI Sixes | 352 (New World Record) |
| Previous Record Holder | Shahid Afridi (351) |
| Partnership with Kohli | 136 runs |
Achieving the Record in Fewer Innings
What makes Rohit Sharma’s achievement even more remarkable is the efficiency with which he reached this milestone. Rohit surpassed Afridi’s records in 100 fewer innings than the former Pakistan captain. The Indian opener achieved the feat in only his 270th innings in his 278th ODI for India, having made his debut in 2007. In contrast, Afridi took 398 matches to accumulate 351 sixes.
Rohit now has 352 sixes in 277 games in his ODI career, demonstrating his superior strike rate and six-hitting prowess. The Mumbai batter’s ability to consistently clear the boundary with effortless power has made him one of the most feared batsmen in white-ball cricket.
Elite Company in ODI Cricket
Only three cricketers have scored over 300 sixes in the ODI format. Besides Rohit Sharma and Shahid Afridi, West Indies legend Chris Gayle is the only other batter in the 300 sixes club with 331 maximums. This exclusive trio represents the most destructive power-hitters ODI cricket has ever witnessed.
After Rohit and Afridi, the list continues with Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya at fourth with 270 maximums, and India’s MS Dhoni at fifth with 229 sixes. Among active players, England’s Jos Buttler is closest to Rohit with 182 sixes, still 170 short of the Indian opener’s tally.
| Rank | Player | Country | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rohit Sharma | India | 352 |
| 2 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 351 |
| 3 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 331 |
| 4 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 270 |
| 5 | MS Dhoni | India | 229 |
| 6 | AB de Villiers | South Africa | 204 |
| 7 | Eoin Morgan | England | 198 |
| 8 | Brendon McCullum | New Zealand | 186 |
| 9 | Jos Buttler | England | 182 |
| 10 | Ross Taylor | New Zealand | 179 |
Master of All Formats
Rohit Sharma already holds the record for hitting the most sixes in T20 Internationals with 205 maximums, and now with 352 in ODIs, he holds records in multiple formats. Most impressively, he holds the record for most sixes in international cricket across all formats with over 640 maximums.
Last year, Rohit became the first-ever player to smash 600 sixes across formats in international cricket. Chris Gayle remains the only other player to have slammed over 500 maximums with 553 in his career. Only one other player has more than 400 sixes in international cricket – Shahid Afridi with 476. Among Indians, MS Dhoni follows Rohit with 359 international maximums.
Geographic Breakdown of Rohit’s Sixes
Out of Rohit Sharma’s 352 ODI sixes, a whopping 180 have come in India. No other player has even 150 sixes in home conditions, demonstrating Rohit’s dominance on familiar pitches. The Indian opener has tallied 105 sixes in away matches (on opposition grounds), with Afridi being the only other player with 100-plus sixes in away games at 134. Rohit’s remaining 67 sixes have come in neutral matches.
This geographic distribution showcases Rohit’s adaptability and ability to perform consistently across different conditions and venues worldwide.
The ‘Hitman’ Phenomenon
Rohit Sharma, fondly known as the “Hitman,” has been a nightmare for bowlers with his aggressive batting style. He took 277 games to complete 350 sixes in the ODI format, demonstrating remarkable consistency throughout his career. His languid batting style, combined with explosive power-hitting, makes him one of the most entertaining batsmen in modern cricket.
At 38 years old, and now committed solely to ODI cricket after guiding India to the Champions Trophy earlier this year, Rohit continues to defy time, rewriting records with the same calm authority that has defined his career since debuting in 2007.
Remarkable ODI Career Statistics
Beyond his six-hitting prowess, Rohit Sharma has compiled an impressive ODI career. He has scored over 11,300 runs in ODIs at an average of 49-plus, establishing himself as one of the format’s finest batsmen. He has hit 33 centuries in this format, which ranks third only to Virat Kohli with 51 and Sachin Tendulkar with 49. The former Indian captain also has 59 fifties under his belt in ODIs.
Rohit Sharma holds several prestigious ODI records, including the highest individual score of 264 against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens in 2014. He is the only player to have scored three double-centuries in ODIs, showcasing his ability to convert starts into mammoth scores. In 2019, Rohit became the only batsman to score five centuries in a single edition of the Cricket World Cup.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| ODI Debut | 2007 |
| Matches | 277+ |
| Innings | 269+ |
| Runs | 11,300+ |
| Batting Average | 49+ |
| Strike Rate | 90+ |
| Centuries | 33 |
| Half-Centuries | 59 |
| Highest Score | 264 (World Record) |
| Double Centuries | 3 (World Record) |
| Total Sixes | 352 (World Record) |
Recent Form and Momentum
This record-breaking innings marked Rohit Sharma’s third consecutive ODI half-century, continuing the momentum from his recent performances against Australia. In the October ODI series Down Under, Rohit scored 50-plus in two matches and converted a half-century into a match-winning century in the third ODI at Sydney, earning him the Player of the Series award with over 200 runs in the series.
His consistent form demonstrates that despite approaching 40 years of age, Rohit remains a vital component of India’s ODI setup. The veteran’s ability to maintain peak performance levels while playing only one format has strengthened his case for selection in India’s plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Leadership and Legacy
Under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, India has achieved significant success in white-ball cricket. He led India to the T20 World Cup title in 2024, ending a 13-year wait for ICC silverware, and then guided the team to victory in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Though he announced his retirement from T20 Internationals after the World Cup triumph, he confirmed he would continue to represent India in ODIs.
Beyond international cricket, Rohit has been a colossus in the Indian Premier League, winning six titles – one with Deccan Chargers and five as captain of Mumbai Indians. His leadership skills and tactical acumen have made him one of the most successful captains in IPL history.
The Journey to the Top
Rohit Sharma’s path to becoming ODI cricket’s six-hitting king has been built on consistent excellence over nearly two decades. The move to open the batting in ODIs late in 2012 was a particular turning point that unlocked his full potential. Since then, he has scored ODI double-hundreds regularly, dominated world tournaments, and established himself as one of the most destructive opening batsmen the format has ever seen.
His elegant batting style, combined with brute power, has drawn comparisons to legends like Virender Sehwag and Viv Richards. Sunil Gavaskar considers Rohit to have a batting style similar to those greats, noting his ability to be unstoppable once he gets going and his appetite for big hundreds.
What This Record Means
Breaking Shahid Afridi’s record for most ODI sixes is more than just a numerical achievement. It represents sustained excellence, incredible hand-eye coordination, and the ability to maintain power-hitting prowess across a career spanning 18 years. For Rohit to achieve this milestone in significantly fewer innings than Afridi demonstrates his superior efficiency and strike rate.
This record also cements Rohit Sharma’s status as one of the greatest ODI batsmen of all time. Along with his three double-centuries, highest individual score, five World Cup centuries in a single edition, and now the sixes record, Rohit has established an ODI legacy that will be remembered for generations.
With over 640 international sixes across all formats, Rohit Sharma continues to add to his tally with every innings. As he remains active only in ODI cricket, fans can expect this record to grow further in the coming years. The next target could be 400 ODI sixes, a milestone no player has ever achieved.
India has another white-ball series against New Zealand in January 2026, followed by a three-match ODI series in England next July. Each of these assignments provides Rohit opportunities to extend his record and further distance himself from the competition.
For now, the record books have been rewritten, and Rohit Sharma stands alone at the summit of ODI six-hitting. His journey from a talented youngster from Mumbai suburbs to becoming the “Hitman” who holds cricket’s most explosive records is a testament to persistence, skill, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
The Ranchi crowd witnessed history on Sunday, and cricket fans worldwide celebrated as one of the game’s most elegant yet destructive batsmen achieved a milestone that seemed destined to be his all along.
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FAQs
How many sixes has Rohit Sharma hit in ODI cricket?
Rohit Sharma has hit 352 sixes in ODI cricket as of November 30, 2025, making him the all-time leader in ODI sixes. He achieved this record during the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi.
Whose record did Rohit Sharma break for most ODI sixes?
Rohit Sharma broke Pakistan legend Shahid Afridi’s record of 351 ODI sixes. Afridi held the record from his retirement in 2015 until November 2025 when Rohit surpassed him.
How many matches did it take Rohit Sharma to reach 352 ODI sixes?
Rohit Sharma achieved 352 sixes in 277 ODI matches (269 innings), which is 121 matches fewer than Shahid Afridi who needed 398 matches to reach 351 sixes.
Who are the only players with 300+ sixes in ODI cricket?
Only three players have crossed 300 sixes in ODI cricket: Rohit Sharma (352), Shahid Afridi (351), and Chris Gayle (331). This elite group represents the most destructive power-hitters in ODI history.
Does Rohit Sharma hold any other six-hitting records?
Yes, Rohit Sharma holds multiple six-hitting records. He has the most sixes in T20 Internationals (205), most sixes in international cricket across all formats (640+), and was the first player to hit 600 international sixes. He also has the most ODI sixes hit in India (180).
