New Delhi: Rohit Sharma broke another record as India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the 1st ODI of the three-match series at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday, January 11. Rohit shattered West Indies legend Chris Gayle’s record for most sixes by an opener in ODIs. The Hitman achieved the feat enroute to his 26-run knock in the game.

The Hitman, who is already the most prolific six-hitter in ODI history, needed only two sixes to go past Gayle on the elite list of openers with most sixes in the format. He smashed two sixes during his 29-ball 26 in the first ODI against the Kiwis in Vadodara to claim the record for the most sixes by an opener in the format.

Rohit has smashed 329 sixes in 193 matches as an opener in ODIs, the most by any batter. He overtook Gayle, who hit 328 sixes in 280 matches as an opener for West Indies in ODIs. Sri Lanka legend Sanath Jayasuriya is in the third spot with 263 sixes in 388 ODIs.

Most sixes as an opener in ODIs:

Rohit Sharma – 329

Chris Gayle – 328

Sanath Jayasuriya – 263

Martin Guptill – 174

Rohit also holds the record for the most sixes by any batter in ODI history. He has 357 sixes to his name in 280 matches in the fifty-over format. The Hitman broke Shahid Afridi’s record last year to become the most prolific six-hitter in ODIs. The former India captain continues to go strong in the format and will be hoping to become the first batter to complete 400 sixes in ODIs as he aims to play the 2027 ODI World Cup next year.

India beat New Zealand by 4 wickets in 1st ODI

Rohit endured an average outing in the game as he was dismissed cheaply on 26, but India rode on Virat Kohli’s brilliant 93 and crucial knocks from skipper Shubman Gill (56), Shreyas Iyer (49) and KL Rahul (29*) to chase down the tricky target of 301 runs and record a thrilling 4-wicket win in the first ODI against New Zealand on Sunday.

India appeared to be cruising towards victory at one stage in the game when Kohli and Iyer were going strong in the middle. However, New Zealand made a strong comeback with quick wickets in the death overs to leave the game open. Rahul’s cameo ofan  unbeaten 29 and Harshit Rana’s swashbuckling 23-ball 29 helped India hold their nerves to secure a close victory and go 1-0 up in the three-match series.