Rohit Sharma breaks ODI sixes record as India edge South Africa in opener
Rohit Sharma becomes the all-time six-hitter in men's ODI cricket, guiding India to a 17-run win over South Africa in the series opener in Ranchi, with Kohli delivering a masterful century.
In Ranchi, India opened their three-match ODI series with a commanding win that featured a historic milestone for Rohit Sharma. The star batsman surpassed Shahid Afridi to become the leading six-hitter in men’s ODI cricket, while Virat Kohli anchored the innings with a spectacular century.
Match details
India's innings Kohli smashed 135 off 120 balls, and Rohit Sharma contributed 57 off 51 as they shared a 136-run stand for the second wicket. KL Rahul chipped in with 60 off 56, helping India post 349-8.
South Africa's chase The Proteas were restricted to 332 all out. Top scores came from Breetzke (72) and Jansen (70), while Kuldeep Yadav impressed with 4-68.
India won by 17 runs
Scorecard
Record note: Rohit Sharma moved clear of Shahid Afridi to claim the record for the most sixes by a man in ODI cricket. He already held the overall record for most sixes across all international formats, with 642 before this match.
The second game in the series is scheduled for Wednesday at 08:00 GMT.
Expert commentary: Cricket analyst Priya Menon says Rohit's milestone underscores his elite power-hitting and solid place in ODI history, while the achievement raises the stakes for South Africa in the remaining games.
Short summary
India's batters set a strong platform led by Kohli's 135 and Rohit's landmark sixes, creating a challenging total. South Africa fought back with late contributions from Breetzke and Jansen, but Kuldeep Yadav's spell halted the chase. The series now stands 1-0 to India, with game two on Wednesday at 08:00 GMT.
Key takeaway: Rohit Sharma's ODI sixes record cements his status as the sport's most prolific six-hitter in men's cricket. Source: BBC Sport.