Rohit Sharma has made history by setting a remarkable record for the most sixes in One Day Internationals (ODIs). As of 2023, he has achieved 352 sixes in his ODI career, surpassing numerous milestones and establishing a dominant presence in the format.
Rohit’s Journey to Becoming the Greatest Six-Hitter
Initially, Rohit was not known as a prolific six-hitter in ODIs. He hit his first six during his third innings against Pakistan in Jaipur. By the time he scored his first century in May 2010, he had recorded only five sixes in his first 1023 balls faced.
Turning Point Against Australia
In a game against Australia in Bengaluru three years later, Rohit’s performance dramatically changed. He smashed 16 sixes in that innings, setting a new record for the most sixes in an ODI match at the time. Up to that point, he had managed just 36 sixes in 102 ODIs.
Record-Breaking Six Hitting
- Total Sixes: 352 in 200 ODIs.
- Sixes per Innings: 1 six every 27.35 balls faced.
- Active ODI Captain Records: 126 sixes in 55 innings with a 17.76 balls-per-six ratio.
After being appointed as the all-format captain in 2022, Rohit’s ratio improved further, with 107 sixes in 46 innings. Among ODI captains, only Eoin Morgan has more sixes (147) than Rohit.
Notable Six-Hitting Achievements
- Most Sixes Against a Team: 93 against Australia.
- Most Sixes in a Country: 182 in India.
- Most Sixes in a Year: 67 in 2023.
- Most Sixes in the ODI World Cup: 54 with 31 in the current tournament.
Rohit has faced a wide array of bowlers, hitting ten sixes off Glenn Maxwell and eight off Shadab Khan. Among the fast bowlers, he has struck seven sixes each off Clint McKay, Kane Richardson, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins.
Overview of Six-hitting Techniques
Rohit has demonstrated versatility in his six-hitting, with 232 coming off fast bowlers and 120 off spinners. His ability to hit sixes includes:
- 123 sixes on pull or hook shots against pace bowlers.
- 188 sixes targeted between backward square-leg and deep midwicket.
In matches where ball-by-ball data is available, Rohit has hit 130 sixes in the first ten overs, second only to Chris Gayle. Between the 11th and 40th overs, he holds the record with 170 sixes.
A Historical Perspective on ODI Sixes
The record for the most sixes in ODIs has changed hands 18 times since its inception. It began with Ian Chappell in 1971 and has seen legends like Viv Richards and Sanath Jayasuriya hold it before Shahid Afridi’s lengthy reign.
Future Prospects
Rohit Sharma’s record of 352 sixes positions him as a formidable player in ODI history. As he continues to play, he has the potential to become the first player to achieve 400 sixes. With limited number of ODIs remaining in the future, his record may stand unchallenged for years to come.
