Daijiworld Media Network - Ranchi

Ranchi, Nov 30: Rohit Sharma added another glittering milestone to his legendary career on Sunday, smashing past Shahid Afridi’s long-standing world record for the most sixes in ODI cricket during the first India–South Africa ODI in Ranchi.

Afridi had finished his career with 351 sixes in the 50-over format, but Rohit surpassed the mark in style at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, blasting his 352nd ODI six to become the all-time leader.

Opening the innings, Rohit delivered a commanding performance, stitching together a 136-run partnership with Virat Kohli after the early fall of Yashasvi Jaiswal. The duo steadied the innings before shifting gears and taking the attack to the South African bowlers.

Rohit’s record-breaking moment arrived in the 15th over when he launched Prenelan Subrayen for two consecutive sixes—the first taking him to the 350-sixes milestone, the second drawing him level with Afridi. Not long after reaching his 60th ODI fifty, Rohit sent another delivery soaring over the ropes to claim the world record outright.

With this feat, Rohit joins an elite group of players with more than 300 ODI sixes. Only Chris Gayle (331) and Shahid Afridi (351) share membership in this exclusive club.

Rohit’s innings came to an end in the 22nd over when he was trapped lbw by Marco Jansen for a brisk 57 off 51 balls, decorated with five fours and three sixes. Despite the dismissal, the Indian skipper walked back having created history.

This knock also marked Rohit’s third consecutive ODI half-century, following back-to-back 50-plus scores—including a match-winning century—against Australia last month. His consistency has strengthened his case for a spot in India’s 2027 World Cup plans, as he continues to prove why he remains one of the most destructive openers in world cricket.