Rohit Sharma added another big record to his name in the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara on January 11, 2026. The India captain became the highest six-hitter as an opener in ODI cricket, going past Chris Gayle.
Rohit hit his 329th six as an opener, breaking Gayle’s long-standing record of 328 maximums. What made the performance even more special was the speed. Rohit reached the milestone in just 191 innings, while Gayle took 274 innings to get there.
The record-breaking moment came in the seventh over of the innings. Rohit stepped off the track and smashed New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson for a clean six midway through the match, drawing loud cheers from the crowd in Vadodara.
Rohit’s stay at the crease was short but impressive. He scored 26 runs off 29 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes. Jamieson later sacked him, but the milestone had already been sealed.
During the same match, Rohit also hit another historic mark. In all forms of international cricket, he became the first player to hit 650 sixes. This underlined his dominance as one of the most feared hitters in modern cricket.
Chris Gayle is now second on the all-format six-hitters list with 553 sixes. The gap shows how far Rohit has pushed the boundaries in the power-hitting game.
Rohit also already holds the record for most sixes in overall ODI cricket, with more than 350 maximums. He had earlier surpassed Shahid Afridi, who was known for his aggressive style.
Among the openers, the list now clearly belongs to Rohit. Gayle comes second while Sanath Jayasuriya comes third with 263 sixes as an ODI opener.
Rohit’s ability to clear the ropes with ease always stood out. His pull shot, balance in the crease and timing allow him to hit sixes without taking big risks.
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