Rohit scored 57 off 51 balls with the help of 5 fours and 3 sixes in Ranchi ODI.
Veteran India opener Rohit Sharma continued his prolific run as he slammed a blistering half-century in the first ODI against South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi on Sunday (November 30).
Rohit, who attained the No. 1 spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings following the Australia series in October, scored 57 off 51 balls with the help of 5 fours and 3 sixes. During this knock, the former India skipper went past Shahid Afridi to become the owner of most sixes record in ODI history.
Rohit needed just three sixes to surpass Afridi’s tally of 351, achieved in 369 innings. He crossed the mark in 100 fewer innings, now sitting at 352 sixes in only 269 outings — a testament to his remarkable ball-striking ability.
Although Sharma couldn’t convert his fluent fifty into a three-digit score, his 136-run stand with Virat Kohli (135 off 120) propelled the hosts to 349/8 in the opening ODI.
After India’s 17-run victory in the series opener, former cricketer Irfan Pathan expressed his admiration for Rohit Sharma’s form and fitness.
"As for Rohit Sharma, he seems to be at his peak. It doesn’t look like he is 38, he has improved his fitness. But the way he is playing according to the conditions and batting flawlessly, the half-century only shows with what mindset he is moving forward," Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
Rohit shifted gears after spending some time at the crease, and alongside Kohli, the seasoned duo once again put to rest any chatter questioning their commitment towards the 2027 ODI World Cup.
"It feels extremely good seeing how these two players are progressing. Rohit was dropped once off Nandre Burger’s bowling but he batted exceptionally – whether it be playing on the up or pull shot," Pathan added.
Coming to the match, the Proteas got off to a terrible start in the chase, losing their top three for just 11 runs inside five overs. However, Matthew Breetzke (72 off 80) and Marco Jansen (70 off 39) brought the visitors back in the contest with vital knocks in the middle order.
Reeling at 228/7 in the 34th over, South Africa were staring at a big defeat but Corbin Bosch scared the hosts with a dazzling innings of 67 in 51 balls. In the end, the Indian bowlers held their nerves to bundle out the tourists for 332 in 49.2 overs.
The second ODI of the three-match series will take place in Raipur on Wednesday (December 3).