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India vs Australia, World Cup 2023 final: Rohit Sharma joins Chris Gayle record for most sixes across formats

Rohit Sharma's Monumental Milestone: Tracing the Evolution of Modern Cricket's Power-Hitting Era

By Dhruv Patel | Nov 19, 2023 | 2 Min Read

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Final between India and Australia electrified the cricketing world with both anticipation and record-breaking moments. Amidst the high-stakes battle, the stage witnessed history being etched in the form of Rohit Sharma, who joined the elite club of explosive hitters, becoming only the second opener after Chris Gayle to smash an astonishing 500 sixes across formats. While the contest was set for an intense showdown between two cricketing powerhouses, Rohit Sharma’s monumental achievement added an extra layer of significance to the highly anticipated clash. His 327th innings witnessed the 500th six, solidifying his status as a batting maestro renowned for his ability to dispatch the ball into the stands.

However, as Rohit scripted history, the pulsating action on the field during the first innings unfolded with Australia opting to bowl first after winning the toss. Rohit Sharma, known for his quick starts, initiated the Indian innings in trademark fashion. But the early dismissal of Shubman Gill, despite his impressive record in Ahmedabad, set the tone for a challenging start. Virat Kohli stepped up the tempo, displaying his aggressive intent. However, the Australian side struck back, dismissing Rohit Sharma and the in-form Shreyas Iyer in quick succession, courtesy of excellent catches and effective bowling.

Kohli, amidst his fiery innings, eventually fell victim to Pat Cummins after scoring another half-century. KL Rahul, striving to stabilize the Indian innings, managed to grind out a fifty but faced the daunting task of holding the fort amidst falling wickets. The boundaries dried up post the 10th over, and with the fall of Ravindra Jadeja, India’s batting line-up faced increased pressure. Despite Rahul’s resilient stand, Mitchell Starc’s lethal bowling removed him, leaving the onus on Suryakumar Yadav to support Rahul.

The bowlers maintained a tight grip, restricting easy runs, and the pacers successfully generated reverse-swing, making scoring difficult for the Indian batsmen. However, with Rahul’s dismissal, followed by quick wickets of Shami and Bumrah, India struggled to post a substantial total. The final over witnessed a struggle as Hazelwood restricted India to a total of 240 runs. The last-ditch attempt for runs resulted in a run-out, concluding India’s innings.

Despite the challenges faced by India in setting a formidable target, Rohit Sharma’s milestone of 500 sixes added a unique chapter to the World Cup Final, showcasing individual brilliance amidst the intense battle for cricketing glory. As the stage shifted to the second innings, anticipation soared, promising a riveting chase in this high-stakes encounter.