IND vs SA: Rohit Sharma breaks Shahid Afridi’s world record for most ODI sixes in history

Opening the batting after being put in by Aiden Markram’s South Africa, Rohit progressively unfurled his big-hitting skills to deflate the Proteas, powering India to a superb start.

The 38-year-old Rohit cracked his 350th ODI six with a thumping slog-sweep off South Africa off-spinner Prenalen Subrayan over cow corner and proceeded to repeat the stroke off the next delivery to equal Afridi at 351 maximums in 100 fewer innings. It is worth noting that Afridi struck as many maximums in double quick time, with his ODI career limited to only 6892 deliveries between 1996 and 2015, accounting for a six every 19.6 deliveries he faced.

Meanwhile, the veteran India opener has smoked a six in 50-over cricket every 35 deliveries, but continues to stand at the top of the international game with 645 across formats.

Shortly after he reached his half-century, Rohit smoked the record-breaking six off left-arm pacer Marco Jansen, pulling him over the fine leg fence.

Rohit, who retired from T20I cricket last year, continues to stand as the only man to smash 200-plus sixes in the format, amassing 205 in 151 innings in his 17-year career.

Rohit also recorded 89 sixes in his Test career, only bettered by Virender Sehwag and Rishabh Pant among Indian batters.

Most ODI sixes in history

Virat Kohli’s six fest

While Rohit had clubbed a spree of maximums, it was Virat Kohli who had taken an unlikely lead on the sixes count. Kohli was particularly aggressive the pacers early on and smote five sixes by the 21st over, by which time the partnership with Rohit had blossomed into a second successive 100-plus stand since their Sydney show last month.

Kohli also surpassed Australia legend Ricky Ponting (217) as the most successful six-hitter at No. 3 across formats.