India skipper Rohit Sharma has etched his name alongside some of the cricketing greats by leveling with Chris Gayle in the list of most sixes in One Day Internationals (ODIs). During the third ODI against Sri Lanka, Sharma hit a towering six, bringing his total tally to 331 sixes in the 50-over format, now sharing the joint-second position with the legendary West Indian batsman. The record is currently held by Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi, with an impressive 351 sixes.
Entering this crucial match, Sharma needed just two sixes to surpass Gayle and secure the standalone second spot. Despite his valiant efforts, he managed to hit only one six, eventually being dismissed for 35 runs off 20 balls. Rohit’s intentions were clear; he aimed to go past Gayle but fell short while attempting to smash left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage in the 8th over of the innings. As India chased a target of 249 runs set by Sri Lanka, Sharma’s early dismissal posed significant pressure on the Indian batting lineup, aimed at avoiding their first series loss to Sri Lanka in a bilateral series since 1997.
Here’s a quick look at the scoreboard in the race for the most sixes in ODIs:
– Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 351 sixes
– Rohit Sharma (India) – 331 sixes
– Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 331 sixes
Earlier in the match, Sri Lanka, after winning the toss, opted to bat first and set a competitive score of 248 runs in their allotted 50 overs, losing seven wickets in the process. The Sri Lankan innings got off to a flyer, courtesy of openers Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando. Fernando narrowly missed a century, scoring an impressive 96 runs which established a solid foundation for the Lankan innings. However, a swift collapse saw Sri Lanka stumble from a strong position of 171/1 in the 36th over to 199/6 in the space of just eight overs, turning the momentum in favor of the visitors.
On the bowling front, India’s debutant Riyan Parag made an impactful entrance into internationals, taking crucial wickets to halt Sri Lanka’s progress. Parag’s figures of 3/54 in his nine overs reflected his prowess and knack for breaking crucial partnerships.
As India embarked on their chase of 249 runs, they encountered early setbacks, with key wickets falling at regular intervals.
. The Indian batting order found itself under immense pressure, with the score teetering at just over 70 runs for the loss of four crucial wickets. Virat Kohli’s dismissal added fuel to the already growing pressure on the Indian side. The onus to salvage the innings and drive the chase home was now heavily placed on the shoulders of Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, along with the debutant Riyan Parag.
This nail-biting match had fans on the edge of their seats as every run contributed to the final chase added to the drama. The series had culminated into this final showdown, and India was battling to maintain a decades-old record against the Sri Lankans.
The cricketing fraternity closely watched as Rohit Sharma inched closer to surpassing one of cricket’s most cherished records. His elegant yet powerful batting style, synonymous with six-hitting, has been a cornerstone of India’s white-ball strategy. Currently, only Shahid Afridi looms ahead of Sharma with 351 sixes, ensuring that this race for the most number of sixes in the ODI format remains a captivating storyline for cricket fans worldwide.
Even as this record remains a significant talking point, this crucial match brings several narratives to the forefront. For Sri Lanka, a potential historic series win against India presents a golden opportunity to inscribe a moment of glory in their cricketing chronicles. For India, it’s a test of resilience, determination, and tactical prowess to overturn the tide and maintain their dominance against their subcontinental rivals.
In conclusion, the third ODI between India and Sri Lanka not only provided riveting cricketing action but also highlighted individual brilliance and record-chasing feats, embodied by players like Rohit Sharma. Fans await eagerly as the cricket unfolds, celebrating not just the match’s outcome but also the records that add to the sport’s rich heritage.
