Rohit Sharma may be at the fag end of his international career but he is still breaking records at will. A month after becoming the top-ranked ODI batter for the first time in his career, Rohit notched up a new record during the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday (November 30).
The fourth ball of the 20th over, bowled by Marco Jansen, disppeared over fine leg for a six. Predictably, it was a short delivery that Rohit pulled away with disdain, bringing up his 352nd six in ODIs. This makes him the highest six-hitter in ODI cricket, overtaking Shahid Afridi (351). Chris Gayle (331) is the only other batter with 300-plus sixes in the format.
Jansen, though, had the last laugh as he got one delivery to stay low, to trap Rohit LBW on the back pad. However, his 51-ball 57 was another fluent knock, with four boundaries and three sixes. The best moment in his innings was when he struck off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen for successive sixes in the 15th over.
Rohit was also his usual aggressive self in the first ten overs, refusing to tone down his aggression even after the fall of his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal who struck a 16-ball 18. Rohit then combined with his veteran partner Virat Kohli for a brilliant 136-run stand that came off just 109 balls.
A century was there for the taking but considering Rohit's methods in the last three years, it is no surprise that he chose to continue with the aggressive methods at the crease.