Key Points
- Rohit Sharma broke Shahid Afridi’s 10-year-old record of 351 ODI sixes by hitting his 352nd maximum in Ranchi vs South Africa
- Achieved this milestone in just 277 ODI matches, compared to Afridi’s 398 matches, making him the fastest to reach 350+ sixes
- Current ODI sixes tally, Rohit Sharma 352, Shahid Afridi 351, Chris Gayle 331, Sanath Jayasuriya 270, MS Dhoni 229
- Rohit has already amassed 637 total sixes across all international formats, trailing only Chris Gayle’s record in international cricket
- Scored 57 off a limited number of balls in Ranchi, featuring multiple sixes alongside fours during his entertaining innings
- In ICC ODI events specifically, Rohit holds the record with 65 sixes in 42 innings, ahead of Chris Gayle’s 64
- Demonstrated his hunger and aggression through explosive batting alongside opening partner Virat Kohli
- Combined with his 205 T20I sixes and 88 Test sixes, Rohit stands as the leading six-hitter in international cricket across all formats
India captain Rohit Sharma has etched his name into ODI cricket history by breaking Shahid Afridi’s longstanding record of 351 sixes, a mark that had stood unchallenged for nearly a decade. Rohit achieved this monumental milestone during his aggressive 57-run knock against South Africa in the opening ODI at Ranchi on Sunday, displaying the explosive batting prowess that has defined his international career.
What makes Rohit’s achievement even more remarkable is the significantly faster pace at which he reached this milestone, accomplishing it in just 277 ODI matches compared to Afridi’s 398 matches. This means Rohit is not only the all-time ODI sixes leader but also the fastest player to achieve the 350+ sixes benchmark, underscoring his reputation as one of the most prolific six-hitters in cricket history.
The Journey to Breaking Afridi’s Record
Rohit Sharma’s path to this historic milestone began with his rise as one of international cricket’s most aggressive batsmen. In February 2025, during the India vs England ODI series in Cuttack, Rohit surpassed Chris Gayle’s tally of 331 sixes to move into second place. At that time, he was 16 sixes behind Afridi’s record, and the cricket world anticipated he would break the record before the end of his career.
By October 2025, Rohit had accumulated 344 sixes, narrowing the gap to just 7 sixes behind Afridi. During the 2025 Champions Trophy semifinal against Australia in Dubai, Rohit also achieved the milestone of breaking the record for most sixes in ICC ODI events, smashing 65 maximums in 42 innings, surpassing Chris Gayle’s 64.
All-Time ODI Sixes Leaders: Complete Rankings
With Rohit Sharma now at the top of the all-time ODI sixes list, here is the updated ranking of the most prolific six-hitters in one-day international cricket:
| Rank | Player | Country | Sixes | Matches | Innings | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rohit Sharma | India | 352 | 277 | 277 | 92.80 |
| 2 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 351 | 398 | 369 | 117 |
| 3 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 331 | 301 | 294 | 87.19 |
| 4 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 270 | 433 | 433 | 91.2 |
| 5 | MS Dhoni | India | 229 | 297 | 297 | 87.56 |
| 6 | Eoin Morgan | England/Ireland | 220 | 230 | 230 | 91.16 |
| 7 | AB de Villiers | South Africa | 204 | 218 | 218 | 101.09 |
| 8 | Brendon McCullum | New Zealand | 200 | 228 | 228 | 96.37 |
| 9 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 195 | 452 | 452 | 86.23 |
| 10 | Sourav Ganguly | India | 190 | 300 | 300 | 73.7 |
Rohit’s Explosive Batting in Ranchi Against South Africa
During the first ODI at Ranchi on Sunday, Rohit Sharma showcased the aggressive batting that has become his hallmark, combining effortless timing with intelligent shot-making to accumulate runs at a rapid pace. His innings featured the classic Rohit Sharma traits, with towering sixes over the mid-wicket region and boundaries through the covers, demonstrating why he has earned the nickname “Hitman”.
Opening alongside Virat Kohli, Rohit took on the South African bowlers from the outset, though he was dismissed for 57 runs. However, his contribution was crucial in setting the tone for India’s innings, and his 352nd six proved to be the cherry on top of a momentous day for Indian cricket.
Kohli and Rohit’s Partnership: A Display of Aggression
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, India’s two senior-most batsmen, combined to put on an aggressive display at Ranchi against South Africa. After early setbacks, the pair steadied India’s innings and began accumulating runs quickly, forcing the South African bowlers to adapt their strategy.
Virat Kohli reached his 76th ODI half-century in 48 balls, extending his own legendary record as one of cricket’s greatest batsmen. Rohit complemented Kohli perfectly, reaching his half-century in just 43 balls, hitting a combination of explosive sixes and fine boundaries. The partnership highlighted why these two batsmen remain central to India’s one-day cricket ambitions heading into future tournaments.
Rohit Sharma’s All-Format Six-Hitting Dominance
Beyond his ODI record, Rohit Sharma’s prowess as a six-hitter extends across all international cricket formats, making him the most prolific maximum-hitter in the history of men’s international cricket. His six-hitting statistics across formats are staggering:
- ODI sixes, 352 maximums
- T20I sixes, 205 maximums, the record in the shortest format
- Test sixes, 88 maximums
- Total international sixes, 637 across all formats, making him the leading six-hitter in cricket history
This comprehensive dominance underscores Rohit’s unique ability to find the boundary and launch the ball out of the ground regardless of format or opposition.
The Fastest to 350+ ODI Sixes
A particularly impressive aspect of Rohit’s achievement is the speed at which he has accumulated his six-hitting record. Shahid Afridi, despite finishing with 351 sixes, needed 398 ODI matches to achieve this milestone. In contrast, Rohit Sharma has reached and surpassed 350 sixes in just 277 matches, reducing the number of matches required by over 120 games.
This efficiency reflects modern cricket’s evolution toward more aggressive batting, with Rohit playing a key role in revolutionising how opening batsmen and top-order players approach ODI cricket.
Looking Ahead: Can Rohit Add to His Record?
With his hunger and aggression showing no signs of diminishing, Rohit Sharma is likely to add to his record in the upcoming ODI matches. Given his current form and the importance placed on aggressive cricket in modern international tournaments, analysts predict he could potentially extend his tally significantly before considering retirement.
His record at Ranchi stands as a testament not just to his individual brilliance but also to the evolution of cricket toward more dynamic, entertaining batting styles. For cricket enthusiasts, Rohit Sharma’s six-hitting prowess continues to redefine what is possible in the modern game, and his legacy as the greatest six-hitter in international cricket history now appears certain.
