Rohit Sharma Goes Past AB de Villiers For Huge World Record With NED Knock

Rohit Sharma in action against NED at the 2023 World Cup (AP)

Rohit Sharma blazed past former South African captain AB de Villiers for a huge ODI record through the course of his latest World Cup 2023 knock against Netherlands. The Indian skipper, having tasked himself to set up powerplay blitzkriegs throughout the tournament, took Netherlands to cleaners alongside opening partner Shubman Gill in the first 10 overs.

Sharma even belted Netherlands spinner Colin Ackermann for a huge six over long-on to tally his first maximum of the day, doing so within the seventh over of the Indian innings. Through the course of his big hit, the cricketer, previously levelled with AB de Villiers, has now scaled a new international height in ODIs.

Rohit Sharma claims big sixes feat in 2023

Rohit Sharma’s first six against Netherlands in Bengaluru also marked his 59th ODI maximum of the year. Already leading the six-hitting race of 2023, the Indian captain also went past Proteas batting legend AB de Villiers for recording the highest number of sixes in a single calendar year, going past the latter’s 58 maximums from 2015.

West Indies opener Chris Gayle, meanwhile, stands third on the all-time list for belting 56 sixes in 2019. Notably, the year also marked his final appearance in international cricket.

After Sharma’s remarkable milestone, here is a look at top four batters who have hit the highest number of sixes in a calendar year.

Most ODI sixes in a Calendar Year:

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma is on course to extend his record, considering Team India is slated to play the upcoming World Cup 2023 semi-final against New Zealand. India’s high-profile showdown will be hosted by the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15.

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