NEW DELHI: In a thrilling encounter, Indian opener Rohit Sharma delivered a spectacular unbeaten century, while batting maestro Virat Kohli added a solid 74* to power India to a decisive nine-wicket victory over Australia in the third and final One Day International. Young pacer Harshit Rana also shone brightly, claiming four crucial wickets that restricted Australia’s innings.
Despite this dominant performance in the final match, India ultimately lost the series 1-2. Rana’s impressive spell of 4/39 played a pivotal role, limiting Australia to a manageable 236 runs in 46.4 overs, thereby setting the stage for India’s successful chase.
Rohit Sharma then took command, orchestrating a vintage knock of 121* from just 125 balls, effectively turning the chase into a one-sided affair. He first built a strong 69-run opening partnership with Shubman Gill (24) before joining forces with Kohli for an unbroken 168-run stand. Their formidable partnership guided India comfortably to their target in just 38.3 overs.
Sharma’s magnificent innings was highlighted by 13 boundaries and three towering sixes. Kohli, not to be outdone, scored his unbeaten 74 runs off 81 balls, featuring seven fours.
This particular innings holds significant historical weight for Rohit Sharma. With just three more sixes, he is set to surpass former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi’s long-standing record of 351 sixes in ODIs. Currently, Rohit has smashed 349 sixes in 276 matches, placing him as the second-highest six-hitter in ODI history. Afridi achieved his record of 351 sixes across 398 ODIs between 1996 and 2015.
Other prominent names on the all-time six-hitters list include Chris Gayle (331 sixes in 301 matches), Sanath Jayasuriya (270 in 445 matches), and MS Dhoni (229 in 350 matches). Rohit’s impressive career statistics further underscore his impact, boasting 11,370 runs in 268 innings, including 33 centuries and 59 fifties, at an average of 49.22 and a strike rate of 92.66. His highest individual score in ODIs remains a remarkable 264.
Here’s a look at the all-time ODI six-hitting leaders:
| Player | Country | Matches | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shahid Afridi | PAK | 398 | 351 |
| Rohit Sharma | IND | 276 | 349 |
| Chris Gayle | WI | 301 | 331 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | SL | 445 | 270 |
| MS Dhoni | IND | 350 | 229 |