Beware Shahid Afridi! Rohit Sharma is set to dethrone former Pakistan captain | Cricket News – The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Opener Rohit Sharma showcased his destructive form with an unbeaten century, while Virat Kohli contributed a fighting 74*, and pacer Harshit Rana claimed four crucial wickets as India defeated Australia by nine wickets in the third and final ODI on Saturday. Despite the win, India lost the series 1-2.Rana’s brilliant spell of 4/39 restricted Australia to 236 in 46.4 overs, setting up a platform for India’s chase. Rohit then led the charge with a vintage 121* off 125 balls, making it a one-sided contest. He initially shared a 69-run opening partnership with Shubman Gill (24) before combining with Kohli for an unbeaten 168-run stand, guiding India to the target in just 38.3 overs.

Rohit’s innings was studded with 13 fours and three sixes, while Kohli’s unbeaten 74 off 81 balls included seven boundaries.This innings also had a historical significance. With three more sixes, Rohit will surpass former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi’s record of 351 sixes in ODIs. Currently, Rohit has 349 sixes in 276 matches, making him the second-highest six-hitter in ODI history. Afridi, who played 398 ODIs between 1996 and 2015, tops the chart with 351 sixes.Other notable six-hitters include Chris Gayle (331 sixes in 301 matches), Sanath Jayasuriya (270 in 445 matches), and MS Dhoni (229 in 350 matches). Rohit’s tally also reflects his remarkable career: 11,370 runs in 268 innings with 33 centuries and 59 fifties at an average of 49.22 and a strike rate of 92.66. His highest score in ODIs is 264..

Here’s a look at the all-time ODI six-hitting leaders: