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Rohit Sharma Smashes Afridi’s Record for Most ODI Sixes Against New Zealand
Rohit Sharma has done it again. In the second ODI at Wellington, the India opener launched two sixes to push past Shahid Afridi and claim the record for most ODI sixes against New Zealand. It was a short knock, but it carried a big milestone.
Rohit Sharma Rewrites the Record Books in Wellington
On November 7 in Wellington, Rohit Sharma added another line to his long list of batting records. The 39-year-old opener scored 23 off 28 balls, including two fours and two sixes, during India’s chase.
Those two maximums lifted his tally against New Zealand in ODIs to 51. That moved him past the previous best of 50, held by Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi.
It was not a long innings, but it came at a perfect moment for the record. Rohit now sits alone at the top of a list full of some of the most destructive hitters the game has seen.
The Numbers Behind the Milestone
Rohit has played 36 ODIs against New Zealand and batted in 34 innings. In that time he has struck 51 sixes, a remarkable rate against one opponent.
He also holds the record for the most sixes in ODI cricket overall. His career total stands at 383 sixes in 293 matches.
| Stat | Rohit Sharma |
|---|---|
| Sixes vs New Zealand in ODIs | 51 |
| ODIs vs New Zealand | 36 |
| Innings vs New Zealand | 34 |
| Career ODI sixes | 383 |
| Career ODI matches | 293 |
| Score in Wellington ODI | 23 off 28 |
Where the Other Big-Hitters Stand
With Rohit now at the top, the list of leading six-hitters against New Zealand in ODIs reads like a hall of fame of power hitting. Afridi drops to second with 50, just one behind the new leader.
West Indies opener Chris Gayle is third with 45 sixes against the Kiwis. Former Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya is fourth with 41.
| Rank | Player | Team | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rohit Sharma | India | 51 |
| 2 | Shahid Afridi | Pakistan | 50 |
| 3 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 45 |
| 4 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 41 |
Elite Company at the Top
Jayasuriya was one of the most feared hitters of his era. His place on this list alongside Gayle and Afridi shows how select the company is.
The gap between first and second is just a single six. That makes the milestone feel even sharper, since Rohit edged ahead of one of cricket’s most famous power hitters by the smallest possible margin.
What Happened in the Second ODI at Wellington?
Rohit’s 23 came during India’s chase in the second ODI. He hit two sixes and two fours before Kyle Jamieson dismissed him.
India arrived in Wellington already leading the series 2-0. That made this match a chance to extend their dominance and put more pressure on the hosts.
A Modest Score, A Major Milestone
Twenty-three off 28 balls may not look like a headline innings on the scorecard. Yet those two sixes were enough to carry the record over the line.
It is a reminder of how Rohit’s impact is not always measured in big scores. Sometimes a few clean strikes into the stands are enough to rewrite history.
Why This Record Matters
The record adds another notable individual chapter to a strong tour for India against New Zealand. It also underlines how consistently Rohit has dominated this opponent across formats of play and different conditions.
Rohit already owns the overall ODI sixes record with 383. Leading the list against New Zealand as well shows his reach as one of the great white-ball power hitters.
The question now is how far he can extend the lead. With Afridi only one six behind, every future innings against the Kiwis could add to the gap.
