Rohit Sharma joins Chris Gayle in elite six-hitting list (ODIs)
Although India are trailing 0-1 in the ongoing three-ODI series against hosts Sri Lanka, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has been in top form. He scored a fiery 58 in the opener and backed it up with a 64 in the second game. Meanwhile, the second match saw Rohit become the second batter to complete 300 ODI sixes as an opener. He joined Chris Gayle.
Over 300 sixes as an opener
Rohit hammered four maximums in the second game. As per ESPNcricinfo, his second hit saw him accomplish 300 ODI maximums while batting at the top. Having opened 175 times in the format, Rohit has raced to 302 sixes as the tally also includes 8,801 runs at 55.70. As mentioned, Gayle (328) is the only other batter with 300 sixes in this regard.
Do you know?
Gayle and Rohit are indeed a part of a special club as not many openers in the game's history were known for their big-hitting skills. In fact, former SL all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya (263) is the only other batter with 180-plus ODI sixes while batting at the top. Meanwhile, Rohit, who debuted for India in 2007, became India's designated white-ball opener in 2013.
Can Rohit go past Gayle?
Having played 264 matches, Rohit overall has 330 sixes in the OD format. Only Gayle (331) and Pakistan's Shahid Afridi (351) have hit more sixes in ODIs. The Indian opener can go past Gayle's tally with two maximums in the third game. Among active players, England's Jos Buttler (170) is closest to Rohit. MS Dhoni (229) trails Rohit among Indians.
Here are his overall ODI numbers
Meanwhile, Rohit has completed 10,831 ODI runs at an average of 49.23. He owns 31 tons and 57 fifties. Two of his three ODI double-tons have come against SL. The 37-year-old has surpassed 1,900 (now 1,986) runs in 54 ODIs versus the Lankans. In addition to six tons, he has slammed nine fifties. His batting average is 45.18 against Sri Lanka.
Most sixes in international cricket
Earlier this year, Rohit became the first batter to accomplish 600 international sixes. He now owns 619 maximums at this level. Rohit is one of only two Indian cricketers with over 80 sixes (84) in Test cricket, the other being Virender Sehwag (91). Meanwhile, the 37-year-old is also the only batter with over 200 T20I sixes (205).
