Rohit Sharma becomes India's leading six-hitter as captain, breaks MS Dhoni's record
Published - 15 Feb 2024, 05:58 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:26 AM
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Team India skipper Rohit Sharma achieved multiple milestones with the bat during his exceptional hundred in the ongoing third Test against England. Rohit Sharma also surpassed the legendary MS Dhoni’s record for the most sixes by an Indian skipper across formats.
Rohit Sharma was going through a lean patch before the third Test of the five-match series. The right-handed batter had registered scores of just 24, 29, 14, and 13 in the first four innings. However, he silenced critics with his 11th Test century in the crucial match.
Rohit Sharma Breaks MS Dhoni’s Record In International Cricket
During his knock in the ongoing match, Rohit Sharma surpassed MS Dhoni’s record for the most sixes by an Indian captain in international cricket. Rohit now holds the record with 212 sixes in 121 innings, surpassing Dhoni’s previous tally of 211 sixes in 330 innings.
Virat Kohli is in third place with 138 sixes in 250 innings across all formats of international cricket. Kohli recently stepped down from the captaincy in all three formats. Sourav Ganguly follows closely behind in the elite list, with 132 sixes to his name in 217 innings.
Most Sixes By An Indian Captain In International Cricket
Rohit Sharma – 212 sixes in 121 innings
MS Dhoni – 211 sixes in 332 innings
Virat Kohli – 138 sixes in 250 innings
Sourav Ganguly – 132 sixes in 217 innings
Mohammad Azharuddin – 61 sixes in 230 innings
Rohit Sharma Did Everything Right – Anil Kumble
Former Indian spinner Anil Kumble commended Rohit Sharma’s approach in facing Mark Wood’s early aggressive bowling. Kumble was impressed with Sharma’s strategic gameplay, particularly his quick adjustments and astute reading of the pitch and deliveries.
“He was stepping out and looking to go over the top. He did everything right, he rode the tough phase against Mark Wood. England had set a plan for Mark Wood with three fielders on the ropes so obviously Rohit did not take the bait of going for the hook. So he had to ride that over off and there was one ball that was really steep and hit him on the helmet,” Anil Kumble said on Sports 18 during the lunch break.
“But he was brilliant with handling all the bowlers. Even the spinners, I thought he did really well. He made that mistake of going across but immediately corrected that in the next over when he stepped out and hit Hartley over his head. He has read the surface well, he’s read the balls well and understands what the bowlers are doing,” Kumble added.
England pacer Mark Wood bowled a brilliant spell with the new ball in India’s innings. The right-arm fast bowler picked up the wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal (10) and Shubman Gill (0) inside the first six overs. India went on to lose Rajat Patidar (5) to Tom Hartley’s bowling.
Rohit Sharma played a pivotal role in the recovery after the team collapsed to 33-3 early in the match. He capitalized on his start, crafting his 11th Test century. However, his innings ended at 131 runs, with 14 fours and three sixes, as he fell victim to Mark Wood’s bowling.
Also read: Rohit Sharma surpasses Sourav Ganguly in legendary team India list with Rajkot century
