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Rohit Sharma Loses ‘Sixer King’ Crown Before England ODIs as Austria’s Karanbir Singh Creates T20I History
Days before India’s ODI series against England, Rohit Sharma’s long-standing T20I sixes record is broken by India-origin Austria opener Karanbir Singh after a sensational 164-run knock.
Rohit Sharma’s Historic T20I Record Finally Falls
Former India captain Rohit Sharma has suffered an unexpected setback ahead of India’s three-match ODI series against England, with his long-standing record for the most sixes in T20 International cricket finally being broken.
The record was surpassed by India-origin Austria opener Karanbir Singh, who produced a breathtaking innings against Hungary in the third T20I at Szodliget. His explosive performance has rewritten the T20I record books and ended Rohit’s reign as the format’s ‘Sixer King’.
Karanbir Singh Smashes Record With Stunning Century
Karanbir Singh delivered one of the most destructive innings in T20I history, scoring an unbeaten 164 runs from just 57 balls. During the knock, he launched 12 massive sixes, taking his overall T20I tally to 207 sixes.
With that achievement, Karanbir moved past Rohit Sharma’s previous record of 205 sixes, becoming the highest six-hitter in men’s T20 International cricket.
Remarkably, Karanbir has reached the milestone in only 60 T20I matches, accumulating 2,533 runs at an impressive average of 48.71, including four centuries and 20 half-centuries.
Rohit Sharma Still Leads Among Full-Member Nations
Although Rohit no longer owns the overall world record, his legacy remains intact in elite international cricket.
The Indian batting legend, who retired from T20I cricket after helping India lift the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, finished his career with 4,231 runs, 205 sixes, five centuries, and 32 fifties in 159 matches.
Importantly, Rohit continues to hold the record for the most T20I sixes among players representing ICC Full-Member (Test-playing) nations, underlining his remarkable consistency at the highest level.
Having also stepped away from Test cricket, Rohit now represents India only in the One-Day International (ODI) format and is preparing for the upcoming ODI series against England beginning July 14 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Muhammad Waseem Also Closing In
The race among the world’s biggest six-hitters is far from over.
UAE captain Muhammad Waseem currently occupies third place with 196 sixes from 99 T20Is, meaning he too is within touching distance of Rohit’s former record and could soon strengthen his position on the all-time list.
ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma loses T20I ‘Sixer King’ crown before England ODIs Austria’s Karanbir Singh breaks massive record
Rohit Sharma loses T20I ‘Sixer King’ crown before England ODIs Austria’s Karanbir Singh breaks massive record
Meanwhile, India’s current T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav stands fourth with 179 sixes, while England star Jos Buttler completes the top five with 175 maximums.
Top 5 Batters With Most Sixes in Men’s T20Is
| Rank | Player | Country | Matches | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karanbir Singh | Austria | 60 | 207 |
| 2 | Rohit Sharma | India | 159 | 205 |
| 3 | Muhammad Waseem | UAE | 99 | 196 |
| 4 | Suryakumar Yadav | India | 113 | 179 |
| 5 | Jos Buttler | England | 156 | 175 |
Ambati Rayudu Backs Rohit for ODI World Cup 2027
Despite losing the T20I sixes record, support for Rohit Sharma’s future in ODI cricket remains strong.
Former India batter Ambati Rayudu recently expressed confidence that Rohit should continue leading India’s campaign for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027, highlighting not only his batting abilities but also his leadership qualities.
According to Rayudu, Rohit’s experience and calm decision-making make him a valuable asset during high-pressure tournaments, adding that India would benefit greatly from having such an experienced leader in the dressing room as well as on the field.
With the England ODI series around the corner, all eyes will once again be on Rohit Sharma as he looks to add another memorable chapter to his remarkable international career.
