Published: Mar 02, 2019, 09:01 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 02, 2019, 09:01 PM (IST)
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has overtaken Rohit Sharma‘s record for the most sixes for India in one-day international cricket. The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman leapt to the top of the charts during the series opening first ODI against Australia in Hyderabad on Saturday.
When Dhoni belted his first six of the innings off Nathan Coulter-Nile in the 38th over, he took his sixes tally to 216 in 339 ODIs. Rohit, who scored 37 off 66 while opening the innings, was on level terms with Dhoni at 216 before his senior did one better to claim the record.
Overall, Dhoni, who has also represented Asia, has 223 sixes to his name and is sitting at the fourth spot in the all-time list. While Dhoni and Rohit are perched at the top-two spots, batting legend Sachin Tendulkar (195), Sourav Ganguly (189) and Yuvraj Singh (153) complete the top-five.
Top-five six hitters for India in ODIs
| S. no | Player | Matches | Sixes |
| 1 | MS Dhoni | 339* | 216* |
| 2 | Rohit Sharma | 202* | 215 |
| 3 | Sachin Tendulkar | 463 | 195 |
| 4 | Sourav Ganguly | 311 | 189 |
| 5 | Yuvraj Singh | 304 | 153 |
Overall, Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi holds the record for the most sixes in ODIs with 351 followed by Chris Gayle (305) at second and Sanath Jayasuriya (270) at third spot.
Top-five leading six hitters in ODIs
| S. no | Player | Team (s) | Matches | Sixes |
| 1 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan/ICC/Asia | 398 | 351 |
| 2 | Chris Gayle | West Indies/ICC | 289* | 305 |
| 3 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka/Asia | 445 | 270 |
| 4 | MS Dhoni | India/Asia | 339* | 223 |
| 5 | Rohit Sharma | India | 202* | 215 |
Australia were restricted to 236/7 with Indian bowlers putting up an impressive show in front of a packed Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah took two wickets each while part-timer Kedar Jadhav chipped in with one wicket to keep the tourists to a below par total.
*Record updated till the 40th over of India’s chase
