Rohit Sharma unleashed the beast in him to give India a cracking start in the World Cup clash against South Africa at the Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata on November 5, Sunday. Rohit struck a fiery 40 riding on six fours and two sixes. With this he emulated the legendary AB de Villiers' record for the highest number of sixes hit in a single calendar year in ODIs.
After deciding to bat first the Indian skipper commenced with a robust and aggressive approach. Sharma, particularly, was a force to reckon with as he relentlessly pummeled the South African bowlers with his audacious stroke play, not allowing them a moment's peace.
Rohit's aggressive stance was evident from the get-go, as he relentlessly charged the bowlers, propelling the Indian team to a swift 50 runs within the first five overs. Despite his stunning knock halted at 40 runs off 24 balls, his impressive strike rate exceeding 166, along with six boundaries and two towering sixes, was a testament to his batting finesse. These two sixes brought his tally to a striking 58 sixes in the year 2023, showcasing a form that promises the potential to outdo AB de Villiers' record.
Most Sixes in a calendar year ( ODIs):
Rohit Sharma 58*
Ab de Villiers 58
Chris Gayle 56
Rohit Sharma's bat spoke more than just sixes, as he engraved another record in the annals of ODI history. Following in the footsteps of the attacking New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum, Sharma became the second batsman to score over 250 runs in the powerplay overs of a single ODI World Cup event. His form in the tournament has been nothing short of extraordinary, making the opposition's strategies seem almost trivial.
In another milestone, Rohit went on to bust de Villiers' record in terms of most sixes in a World Cup edition as a skipper. The Hitman has so far smoked 22 sixes in the ongoing ODI World Cup and is in joint lead with former English skipper Eoin Morgan.
Most 6s in a WC Series by Captains :
22 – Rohit Sharma (2023)
22 – Eoin Morgan (2019)
21 – AB Devilliers (2015)
However, Sharma's impressive run was halted by the formidable Kagiso Rabada, marking the twelfth occasion the South African paceman has claimed his wicket across all international formats — the most any bowler has dismissed Sharma to date. Sharma ventured down the pitch to Rabada's delivery, attempting an ambitious shot over the covers. Unfortunately, the execution was not as planned, as he couldn't muster the required elevation, resulting in his dismissal, caught by Temba Bavuma.
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