The first ODI match was played on January 5, 1971, since then till today many records have been made and broken in this format. In ODI cricket, which is called batsmen’s format, earlier matches used to be of 60 overs, but then ICC changed it to 50 overs. Talking about hitting the most number of sixes in One Day International, for years this record was in the name of former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi, but on Sunday, in the first ODI against South Africa, Rohit Sharma, famously known as Hitman, took this record in his name.

Rohit broke Shahid Afridi’s record against South Africa

Rohit Sharma, who has been playing ODI cricket since 2007, now has 352 sixes in 277 matches. Rohit made this record by hitting three sixes in the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi. Rohit Sharma has 1071 fours in ODIs. So far he has scored 11427 runs in this format.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has 351 sixes in his name in 398 ODI matches. Afridi has scored 8064 runs during this period. Rohit started his career as a middle order batsman, but since 2013 he has played only as an opener. Whereas Afridi had opened in the initial stages, but he played most of the matches as a finisher.

So far only eight batsmen have been able to hit more than 200 sixes in ODI cricket. Only 3 batsmen have more than 300 sixes in their names. If we talk about the 7 batsmen who have hit the most number of sixes, among them only Rohit Sharma is the only active player, all the rest have retired. Talking about Indian batsmen, MS Dhoni is also included in this record list along with Rohit.

7 batsmen who hit most sixes in the history of ODI cricket

1- Rohit Sharma- 352 sixes
2- Shahid Afridi- 351 sixes
3- Chris Gayle- 331 sixes
4- Sanath Jayasuriya – 270 sixes
5- MS Dhoni- 229 sixes
6- Eoin Morgan- 220 sixes
7- AB de Villiers- 204 sixes

Rohit Sharma played a brilliant inning of 57 runs in the first ODI against South Africa. By hitting 3 sixes in this innings, Rohit Sharma has broken the world record of former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. Now Rohit has become the batsman who has hit the most sixes in One Day International.

India had to bat first after losing the toss in the first ODI being played in Ranchi. After the early dismissal of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma made a century partnership with Virat Kohli for the third wicket. Rohit hit 3 sixes and 5 fours in his innings of 57 runs in 51 balls.

Rohit Sharma created history

In the 20th over of the innings, Rohit Sharma created history by hitting a six off Marco Jansen, this was his 352nd six in ODI. Earlier, Shahid Afridi (351 sixes) was the batsman who hit the most sixes in ODI, this world record was in the name of Afridi for the last 10 years, which is now in the name of Rohit.

This world record of Rohit Sharma will not be broken for many years now, because among the top-10 batsmen who have hit the most number of sixes in ODI, all the others except Rohit have taken retirement.

Top-5 batsmen who hit most sixes in ODI

• Rohit Sharma (India)- 352*
• Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)- 351
• Chris Gayle (West Indies)- 331
• Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 270
• MS Dhoni (India)- 229

The first match of the three-match ODI series between India and South Africa is to be played tomorrow i.e. on Sunday, 30 November in Ranchi. In this match, former Indian captain Rohit Sharma can create a new world record. Actually, if Rohit Sharma hits three sixes in the first ODI, he will become the batsman who has hit the most sixes in this format.

Rohit Sharma has a chance to defeat former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi in the first ODI against South Africa. If Rohit hits 3 sixes in the first ODI to be played in Ranchi, he will become the ‘Sixer King’ by defeating Shahid Afridi.

Shahid Afridi has the record of hitting most sixes in ODIs.

Rohit Sharma has hit 349 sixes in 276 ODI matches since 2007. During this period, Rohit scored 11,370 runs with an average of 49.22. Rohit has scored 33 centuries and 59 half-centuries. Whereas former all-rounder Shahid Afridi has hit 351 sixes in 398 ODI matches. This Pakistani player has also scored 8,064 runs with an average of 23.57. During this period, he scored 6 centuries and 39 half-centuries.

The schedule of the ODI series is as follows

Team India will play a three-match ODI series against South Africa from 30 November to 6 December. The first match of this series will be played in Ranchi, after which the second match of the series will be played in Raipur on 3 December. The third match of the series will be played in Visakhapatnam on 6 December. Regular captain Shubman Gill is not a part of this series due to neck injury. In his place, wicketkeeper batsman KL Rahul has been given the captaincy.

Indian team for ODI series against South Africa- Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Verma, KL Rahul (captain and wicketkeeper), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harshit Rana, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh.

Former Pakistani Dhakad all -rounder Shahid Afridi is in the name of hitting the most sixes in ODI International. This record of Afridi is for the last 10 years. But soon this record may be in the name of Rohit Sharma, captain of Indian ODI team. It is expected that Rohit will be seen playing in the ODI series against Australia in October. During this time, he can create history by hitting only 8 sixes.

Batsman who hit the most sixes in ODIs

• Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistani all -rounders are ranked first in this list. Afridi has played 398 ODIs for Pakistan. During this, Afridi has hit 351 sixes. He is the first and yet the only player to touch the 350 mark. This record in the name of Afridi has been maintained for 10 years. Afridi last played ODI in the year 2015.

• Rohit Sharma

Indian batsman Rohit Sharma is second in this list. Rohit has played 273 ODIs for India so far. During this time, 344 sixes have come out of his bat. Rohit can become the highest sixes players in the history of ODI cricket, leaving behind only 8 sixes, leaving behind Afridi.

• Chris Gayle

West Indies batsman Chris Gayle is in third place. Gayle has played a total of 301 ODIs. During this time, Gayle has hit 331 sixes.

• Sanath jayasuriya

The name of Sri Lankan great batsman Sanath Jayasuriya is also included in this list. Jayasuriya has played 445 ODIs for Sri Lanka. During this, he has hit 270 sixes.

• MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni, one of the great captains of India, has also been ahead of very legendary players in terms of sixes in ODIs. Dhoni has played a total of 350 ODIs. During this time, 229 sixes have come out of his bat.

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