The Indian team captain Rohit Sharma has once again achieved a remarkable feat as he registered his name in the record books by equalling the legendary Chris Gayle’s tally of 331 sixes in One-Day International (ODI) cricket.
Sharma’s achievement took place during the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka on August 7 in Colombo. Despite India’s crushing 110-run defeat in the match, which saw the hosts secure their first bilateral series victory against the Men in Blue since 1997, the 37-year-old’s performance stood out.
Sharma has so far smashed 331 ODI sixes since his debut which has put him on par with the legendary West Indian. The former opener had held the record for the second-most number of sixes in ODIs since his retirement in 2021.
Sharma’s ability to hit sixes at will has made him a standout player throughout his career. His skills to clear the boundary with ease have made him a standout performer in the shortest format of the game. During his innings of 35 runs off just 20 balls in the third ODI, Rohit smashed just one six, which helped him equal Gayle’s previous record.
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The only player now ahead of Rohit and Gayle in the list of the most sixes hit in ODIs is former Pakistan captain and all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who holds the record with 351 sixes. The veteran opener will be looking to surpass this mark in the coming matches and become the greatest six-hitter in ODI history.
He also became the fourth Indian batter after Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni to score more than 2000 runs against the island nation in the 50-over format.
Speaking about the game, the island nation won the toss and elected to bat first. Avishka Fernando (96), Kusal Mendis (59), and Pathum Nissanka (45) had a brilliant outing with the bat as they helped their side put up a good total of 248/7.
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Debutant Riyan Parag was the only standout bowler for the visitors as he finished with figures of 3/54. In reply, the Men in Blue once again received an impressive start from their skipper, but none of the other batters could capitalize on that which ultimately cost them the game and the series.