Rohit Sharma Aims for Historic Milestones in Upcoming ODI Series

Rohit Sharma Targets Two Significant Records

Former Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma is on the verge of breaking a significant record, needing just three more sixes to surpass Shahid Afridi's all-time ODI sixes record. The upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, commencing on November 30 at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi, will provide him with this opportunity. Currently, Sharma has hit 349 sixes in ODIs, while Afridi holds the record with 351. Other notable players in this category include Chris Gayle (331), Sanath Jayasuriya (270), MS Dhoni (229), Eoin Morgan (220), AB de Villiers (204), Brendon McCullum (200), Sachin Tendulkar (195), and Sourav Ganguly (190).

On the Brink of Joining the 20,000-Run Club

In addition to aiming for the sixes record, Sharma is close to becoming the fourth Indian cricketer to achieve 20,000 runs in international cricket. With 19,902 runs amassed over 502 matches, he is just 98 runs shy of this milestone. This elite group includes legends like Sachin Tendulkar, who leads with 34,357 runs, followed by Virat Kohli with 27,673 runs and Rahul Dravid with 24,064 runs.

Preview of the Series and Team Updates

Rohit Sharma has accumulated 4,301 runs in 67 Test matches, alongside 4,231 runs in T20Is and 11,370 runs in ODIs. After retiring from T20Is following the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, he also stepped away from Test cricket earlier this year. Sharma enters the ODI series against South Africa following a stellar performance against Australia, where he scored an unbeaten 121 runs off 125 balls, leading India to a consolation victory after trailing 2-0 in the ODI series.

Virat Kohli is set to return for the ODI series against South Africa, joining Rohit in the lineup. Both players now exclusively participate in ODIs. The Indian team aims to regain confidence after a disappointing 2-0 Test series defeat at home against South Africa earlier this week.