Rohit Sharma lit up the SCG with a blistering, unbeaten 121* in the third ODI against Australia—but his fireworks did more than just seal a nine-wicket win. With every towering six, the Indian captain inched closer to dethroning Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi as the all-time leading six-hitter in international cricket.
Table of Contents
- Rohit’s SCG Century: A Statement Knock
- The Race to Overtake Shahid Afridi
- Kohli’s Anchor & Rana’s Breakthrough
- Why India Lost the Series Despite the Win
- What’s Next for Rohit and the Sixes Record?
- Sources
Rohit’s SCG Century: A Statement Knock
Chasing 237 under lights at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Rohit Sharma played like a man with a mission. His 121* off just 114 balls included 10 fours and 6 massive sixes—each one echoing through the stands and sending a clear message: age hasn’t dimmed his explosiveness.
Partnering with Virat Kohli (74*), Rohit dismantled Australia’s bowling attack with surgical precision. The duo wrapped up the chase in just 37.3 overs, showcasing the kind of dominance India hopes to replicate in future ICC tournaments.
The Race to Overtake Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi, the legendary Pakistani all-rounder, holds the record for most sixes in international cricket with 351 across formats. But Rohit Sharma is hot on his heels.
After his SCG onslaught, Rohit now sits on **342 international sixes**—just **9 away** from claiming the crown. At his current strike rate, he could surpass Afridi during India’s upcoming home series or the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Sixes Comparison: Rohit vs Afridi (as of Oct 2025)
| Player | ODIs | T20Is | Tests | Total Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shahid Afridi | 245 | 95 | 11 | 351 |
| Rohit Sharma | 189 | 132 | 21 | 342 |
Notably, Rohit has already surpassed Afridi in T20I sixes and is the only player with over 130 in the format.
Kohli’s Anchor & Rana’s Breakthrough
While Rohit stole the headlines, Virat Kohli played the perfect supporting role—rotating strike, picking gaps, and ensuring no pressure built at the other end. Their unbroken 165-run stand was clinical.
Earlier, debutant pacer Harshit Rana announced himself on the international stage with a four-wicket haul (4/42), dismantling Australia’s top and middle order to restrict them to 236. His yorkers and clever variations earned praise from teammates and commentators alike.
Why India Lost the Series Despite the Win
Despite the emphatic victory in the final ODI, India lost the three-match series 1–2 after narrow defeats in Melbourne and Adelaide. Poor starts with the bat and inconsistent death bowling were recurring issues.
Still, the SCG win offers a blueprint: strong powerplay bowling + top-order dominance = winning formula in Australia.
What’s Next for Rohit and the Sixes Record?
With the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and multiple bilateral series lined up, Rohit Sharma is expected to reach the milestone before mid-2026. When he does, he’ll not only claim a global record but also cement his legacy as cricket’s most destructive opener.
As one fan put it on social media: “Afridi lit the fuse. Rohit turned it into a fireworks factory.”
Sources
- Times of India – Beware Afridi! Rohit Is Set to Dethrone Former Pakistan Captain
- ICC Statistics Portal – Sixes Records (2025)
- [INTERNAL_LINK:Players], [INTERNAL_LINK:Stats & Records]