The Hitman Goes Galactic: Rohit Sharma Smashes His Way to the Most Sixes in ODI Cricket Record

Hold onto your hats, folks, because the world of One-Day International cricket just got a new six-hitting monarch! The news from Ranchi is that Rohit Sharma, the “Hitman,” has smashed his way past the seemingly insurmountable record for the Most Sixes in ODI Cricket during the first ODI against South Africa. This isn’t just about a number; it’s about a phenomenal evolution of a player who started as an elegant middle-order batsman and transformed into a six-hitting behemoth.

This record, previously held by the explosive Shahid Afridi (351 sixes), has been shattered by Rohit’s signature blend of power and timing. In the context of the series, this individual brilliance shone brightest, underscoring why Rohit is a king of the limited-overs format and why he owns the Highest Sixes in ODI title.

His three maximums in that electric innings against the Proteas meant he now stands alone at the top of the Most Sixes in ODI cricket’s list, a remarkable achievement that further solidifies his standing as one of the greatest white-ball players the game has ever seen.

Who Has Most Sixes in ODI? Rohit Sharma Claims the Highest Sixes in ODI Title

HITMAN AT THE TOP 🔥

Rohit Sharma now has the most number of sixes in ODI cricket history, going past Shahid Afridi’s tally of 351. pic.twitter.com/9RZNwlsuRA

— Cricket.com (@weRcricket) November 30, 2025

The moment came in the 20th over of India’s innings at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30, 2025. Rohit, who had made a welcome return to the Indian team alongside Virat Kohli, came into the three-match series needing just three maximums to surpass the legendary Shahid Afridi. Afridi, the former Pakistan all-rounder, had held the seemingly unbreakable record of 351 sixes for 15 long years.

After South Africa’s stand-in skipper Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to field, Rohit, opening the innings, was initially cautious. He was even given an early reprieve, dropped on just one. But as any fan knows, dropping Rohit Sharma is like handing a chef a free pass to the kitchen; he’s going to cook something spectacular.

He first unleashed his brute force against off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen in the 15th over, smashing two consecutive maximums over cow corner. The second of those booming hits drew him level with Afridi at 351 sixes—a collective gasp of anticipation went through the Ranchi crowd, and indeed, around the cricketing world.

The record-breaking blow—the 352nd six—arrived five overs later. Facing the tall left-arm pacer Marco Jansen, who offered up a short-of-a-length delivery, Rohit rocked back instantly. He unfurled his signature pull shot, a graceful yet immensely powerful stroke, sending the ball soaring over the deep square leg boundary and into the stands. It was an iconic shot to secure an iconic record. He cemented his place as the true six-hitting king, surpassing the 351 set by the mercurial Afridi. Rohit was eventually dismissed soon after, falling for a quick-fire 57 off 51 balls, an innings that contained five fours and the three pivotal sixes.

Most Sixes in Cricket History: Charting the Path to Most Sixes in International Cricket

Rohit’s ODI record is only part of the story. His relentless boundary-hitting across all formats has also secured him the title for the Most Sixes in International Cricket. This comprehensive mastery is a testament to the modern, aggressive approach to batting he helped pioneer. It’s a fantastic reflection of how players can adapt and expand their game over their careers.

Here is a look at the five men who have defined power-hitting in the 50-over game:

🏏 The Top 5: Most Sixes in ODI Cricket

The Global Hitmen: Most Sixes in International Cricket

The following list shows the top five players who have hit the Highest Sixes in ODI and across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is combined. This is where Rohit truly shines, demonstrating a consistency and power that transcends formats, confirming his status as the undisputed king of the maximum worldwide.

🌍 The Top 5: Most Sixes in International Cricket (All Formats)

Most Sixes in All Format: The Anatomy of the Most Sixes in International Cricket

The best six-hitters have a signature shot. For Chris Gayle, it was the monstrous straight hit using sheer brute force. For Afridi, it was the wild, often agricultural, but ultimately effective swing. For Rohit, it is the pull shot.

If you study the data behind Rohit’s six-hitting prowess, it becomes clear that his mastery over the short ball is the foundation of his greatness. Over a third of his sixes against pace bowlers come from either the pull or hook shot. He doesn’t merely dispatch the short ball; he controls it with such supreme timing and balance that it barely looks like an effort. It’s that deceptive ease that makes him the “Hitman.”

His tally is a testament to consistency and dominance across all facets of the game:

• Against Bowlers: He has a particular fondness for hitting off-spinners and leg-spinners out of the attack, demonstrating his confidence in attacking the turn.
• Against Teams: He owns the record for the most sixes against a single opposition (a staggering 93 against Australia).
• At Home: Rohit has struck the most sixes in a single country, with 182 coming in India.
• The World Stage: He is the leading six-hitter in ODI World Cup history, showcasing his ability to deliver on the grandest stages.

Rohit’s overall international sixes tally is equally mind-boggling, giving him the record for the Most Sixes in International Cricket across all formats. He is a truly format-defining player of the modern era.

Most Sixes in Career: Will Rohit Break the 400 Mark for Most Sixes in ODI?

With Shahid Afridi now relegated to second place in terms of Most Sixes in ODIs, followed by Chris Gayle (331) and Sanath Jayasuriya (270), the question now isn’t who will catch Rohit, but how many he will eventually finish with.

Given his current fitness and his exclusive focus on ODI cricket, the 400-six barrier seems a very real possibility. While the ODI schedule has been somewhat reduced in recent years, Rohit’s current form suggests he has several years of powerful hitting left in him. He remains in a class of his own.

Looking at the active players, Jos Buttler sits a fair way back with 182 sixes, while Virat Kohli, despite his legendary status, is a distance behind at 159. The next generation of batters below the age of 30 haven’t accumulated the numbers required to mount a serious challenge anytime soon.

For now, we can all sit back and appreciate the artistry of a player who has turned the brutal six-hit into an act of elegance. Rohit Sharma is ODI cricket’s undisputed monarch of the maximum, and that’s a legacy that will stand tall for a long, long time. What a moment for Indian cricket!