Rohit Sharma is on the verge of becoming the batter with the most ODI sixes as India face South Africa in the 1st ODI. (Image Credit: @SelflessCricket)
Rohit Sharma is on the cusp of achieving one of the biggest milestones in ODI cricket history. The Indian captain, who gears up to lead the team in the 1st ODI against South Africa starting Thursday, needs just two sixes to break Shahid Afridi's long-standing record for the most sixes in One-Day Internationals.
With 349 sixes to his name, Rohit now has a golden chance to etch his name at the top of one of cricket's most glamorous leaderboards-one that celebrates pure ball-striking brilliance.
Rohit goes into the South Africa series on a high, particularly after his prolific run against Australia. He looked in full control throughout the three-match ODI series Down Under, adapting beautifully to the bounce, pace and carry of Australian pitches.
Rohit stroked an unbeaten 121 in the 3rd ODI*, a vintage Rohit masterclass marked by elegance, timing and controlled aggression.
That innings showcased his typical ability to rotate strike early, settle in and then open his shoulders in the latter half pattern that has defined many of his greatest ODI knocks.
The Hitman's run scoring in Australia reassured his dominance away from home, once again proving why he's regarded as one of the best white-ball openers of his generation.
Rohit Sharma's 209 against Australia in Bengaluru during 2013 wasn't just a double century, but an innings that would transform him from merely Rohit to the global phenomenon known as the Hitman.
Rohit smashed 16 sixes, the most he has hit in an innings in an ODI, which at the time created a world record and redefined what was possible in a 50-over match.
Rohit's clean hitting, balance, and timing showed a new, more powerful version of himself-the version which the world would soon call Hitman.With Rohit just a few hits away from history, here's how the all-time sixes leaderboard currently looks:
Not only is Rohit close to breaking Afridi's record, but he is way ahead of most modern players, making this milestone even more significant in today's era of calculated ODI batting.
