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Rohit Sharma becomes most explosive ODI opener ever; leaves Gayle behind in elite record

Akshita Patel

Rohit Sharma achieves an elite record [Source: @SPORTYVISHAL/X.com]Rohit Sharma achieves an elite record [Source: @SPORTYVISHAL/X.com]

Rohit Sharma added another major record to his name during the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara, becoming the opener with the most sixes in ODI history. 

The ex-Indian captain reached the landmark early in India’s chase, once again showing his ease against fast bowling and his ability to clear the ropes with minimal effort.

Rohit Sharma breaks Gayle’s long-standing sixes record

Chasing 301, Rohit Sharma showed intent, scoring 26 off 29 balls. His knock included three fours and two maximums. His ODI sixes tally as an opener is now 329, which brings him to the top of an elite record.

Rohit now stands alone at the top of the list for most sixes as an opener in ODI cricket. The Indian skipper went past Chris Gayle’s tally of 328 sixes, reaching 329 and counting. 

The record had stood for several years and was seen as one of Gayle’s most iconic achievements, given his reputation as one of the game’s biggest hitters. 

Most Sixes as an opener in ODIs:

  • 329* - Rohit Sharma (India)
  • 328 - Chris Gayle (West Indies)
  • 263 - Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)

It took Rohit 191 innings as an opening batsman to reach this feat, which is truly an achievement given the conditions he has played in all over the globe.

The moment came when he launched Kyle Jamieson over the ropes, a shot that drew loud cheers from the Vadodara crowd. Even though Rohit did not go on to play a big innings, the record made him a hot topic on social media.

Rohit Sharma - a modern-day great opener

Rohit Sharma’s ODI record as an opener places him among the all-time greats. In 193 matches, he has scored 9512 runs at an outstanding average of 54.98, with 31 centuries and 48 half-centuries to his name. 

His record of 264 remains the highest individual score in ODIs. Rohit’s strike rate of over 96 and his huge sixes tally show how easily he can change the course of a match.

Rohit Sharma is also renowned for the excellent start that often converts into a massive innings. Many of his centuries have been match-defining, and his ability to dominate bowlers once set makes him one of the toughest batters to contain in white-ball cricket.

India cruising in a tricky chase

Earlier in the day, New Zealand posted a strong total of 300 runs in their 50 overs. Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls gave them a solid start with a 117-run opening partnership.

Daryl Mitchell then played a crucial knock, scoring 84 off 71 balls, accelerating in the middle overs and guiding New Zealand past the 300 mark.

For India, Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj picked two wickets each to stop New Zealand from going even bigger. Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav also chipped in with three wickets combined.

In reply, India lost Rohit Sharma for 26 after a bright start, caught off Michael Bracewell’s bowling. Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill are now in the middle and cruising at a run rate of nearly 6 per over.