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Rohit Sharma India T20 World Cup 2024
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Indian captain Rohit Sharma made his return to the ODIs in a stunning fashion as he smashed the opposition bowlers all over the ground during the first ODI of the three-match series against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, August 2.

The Indian skipper has been one of the best white-ball batters in the history of the game, known for his explosive and effortless hitting at the top of the order. 

In the first ODI against Sri Lanka, he scored 58 runs off 47 balls, which included 7 boundaries and 3 sixes.

In this article, The Sporting News looks at the top six-hitters in the ODI format and also tells you how many sixes Rohit Sharma needs to top the list in this format.

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How many more sixes does Rohit Sharma need to become the top six-hitter in ODIs?

With his three sixes in the first ODI against Sri Lanka, the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma took his tally of sixes in the format to 331, which is currently the second highest in ODI history.

Rohit still needs 22 more sixes to go past Shahid Afridi's tally of 351 sixes and top the list of six-hitters in ODIs.

He will get plenty of opportunities to break the record with three more bilateral ODIs scheduled before the start of the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025, and furthermore, if he keeps himself fit and decides to play the ICC ODI World Cup in 2027.

MORE: Ravi Shastri compares Rohit Sharma to the great MS Dhoni, calls him an "all-time great"

Which batter has hit the most sixes in ODI cricket history?

Pakistan's Shahid Afridi has hit the most sixes (351) in ODI cricket history.

Rohit Sharma, who recently tied Chris Gayle to second in the list with 331 sixes each, is the only active cricketer in the top 10 list and needs just 1 more six to go past Gayle and 22 more to go past Afridi's tally.

Here is a list of batters with the most sixes in ODI cricket history:

BatterCountrySixesInnings batted
Shahid AfridiPakistan351369
Rohit SharmaIndia331257
Chris GayleWest Indies331294
Sarnath JayasuriyaSri Lanka270433
MS DhoniIndia229297
Eoin MorganEngland220230
AB de VilliersSouth Africa204218
Brendon McCullumNew Zealand200228
Sachin TendulkarIndia195452

Rohit, who had retired from T20I cricket after leading his team to victory at the T20 World Cup 2024, will continue as the captain of the ODI team as India prepares for the next ICC Champions Trophy tournament in 2025, next February.

MORE: Fastest captain to win 100 international matches: Can Rohit Sharma break Ricky Ponting's record?

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Author(s)
Saino Zachariah Photo

Saino Zachariah is a content producer for The Sporting News' India edition.