Rishabh Pant smashed his 100th six in Test cricket. The landmark came during India’s second innings in the Galle Test against Sri Lanka. The 28-year-old wicketkeeper-batter became only the fourth player in Test history to reach the milestone. He also went past Adam Gilchrist’s famous tally of 100 sixes. The six flew into the stands at Galle International Stadium.
The Historic Six
Pant reached the milestone off the fourth ball of the 37th over. The delivery came from Sri Lankan pacer Lahiru Kumara. Pant launched it high over fine leg for a massive six. The same shot also completed his 20th fifty in Test cricket. The landmark arrived on day four of the series opener.
An Elite Club of Four
Pant now stands fourth on the all-time list of Test six-hitters. England’s Ben Stokes leads with 128 sixes in 122 Tests. New Zealand great Brendon McCullum smashed 107 sixes in 101 Tests. Gilchrist had exactly 100 sixes in 96 Tests. Stokes retired from international cricket in June this year. Pant is the only Indian in this exclusive group.
Pant’s Twin Innings in Galle
Pant scored 39 off 62 balls in India’s first innings. That knock included four fours and one six. He followed it with 66 off 69 balls in the second innings. Eight fours and two sixes came from his bat this time. Kumara ended his innings in the 41st over. Pant tried to pull a short ball outside off stump. The keeper held a clean catch to send him back. His 66 came at a strike rate of nearly 96.
Partnership and a Special Record
Pant added 54 runs with Ravindra Jadeja for the sixth wicket. Jadeja contributed 9 runs during the stand. Pant’s 66 is now the third-highest score by an Indian wicketkeeper in Sri Lanka. MS Dhoni made 76 in a Galle Test in 2010. Wriddhiman Saha scored 67 in 2017. Dhoni and Saha are the only keepers above him on that list. The feat adds another milestone to Pant’s growing legacy in Test cricket.
