Rohit Sharma notched up another milestone o Sunday in an illustrious career full of them when he became the highest six-hitter among ODI openers. (Express Photo | Bhupendra Rana)
India opener Rohit Sharma notched up another milestone o Sunday in an illustrious career full of them when he became the highest six-hitter among ODI openers, overtaking West Indies’ Chris Gayle. The indian now has 329 sixes as an opener while Gayle has 328. What’s even more impressive is that the Hitman got to the record in 83 fewer innings with Rohit taking 191 as opposed to Gayle’s 284.
Chasing a target of 300, Rohit and skipper Shubman Gill started steadily before the Mumbai Indians batter switched gears, slamming 2 sixes with the last one helping him get over the aforementioned milestone. The record was reached in the 7th over by Kyle Jamieson when Rohit came down the ground and slammed the Kiwi bowler over mid on for a maximum. Jamieson, however, struck back soon in the 9th over as he snapped by Rohit for 26 in the 9th over.
Earlier, Daryl Mitchell stood tall with a stroke-filled half-century to help New Zealand post 300 for 8. Mitchell, ranked world No. 3 behind India superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, lived up to expectations with a gritty knock which gave New Zealand a much-needed impetus amid middle order collapse.
Rohit Sharma overtakes Chris Gayle as the highest six-hitter among ODI openers, in 83 fewer innings.
Most ODI sixes (openers)
329* – Rohit (191 innings)
328 – Gayle (284)
263 – Sanath Jayasuriya (383)
174 – Martin Guptill (174)
167 – Sachin Tendulkar (340)#INDvNZ— Lalith Kalidas (@lal__kal) January 11, 2026
Mitchell clobbered five fours and three sixes to make 84 off 71 balls after New Zealand middle order failed to build on an ideal start given by Devon Conway (56 off 67 balls; 6 fours, 1 six) and Henry Nicholls (62 off 69 balls; 8 fours).
Openers Conway and Nicholls had put on 117 runs to defy India for the first 21 overs, but Harshit Rana’s (2/65) second spell of 2-0-13-2 turned the tables and the home side chipped away with regular strikes. New Zealand skidded from 117 for no loss in the 22nd over to 198 for five in the 38th. But Mitchell forged vital stands to come to their rescue, while debutant Kristian Clarke struck three late fours to make 17-ball 24 not out.
In the 22nd over, Rana took pace off the ball to break the century partnership between Conway and Nicholls. An innocuous off-cutter, bowled away from the batter saw Nicholls reaching out for it, only to get an edge that carried to the wicketkeeper for India’s first breakthrough.
329- Rohit (191 innings)
328 – Gayle (284)
263 – Sanath Jayasuriya (383)
174 – Martin Guptill (174)
167 – Sachin Tendulkar (340)
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