Rishabh Pant scripted history on Day 4 of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka in Galle on Tuesday, August 18, becoming the fourth batter to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket. He also reached the landmark faster than anyone else in the history of the format.
Pant completed 100 Test sixes in just his 89th innings when he launched Lahiru Kumara over the boundary in his trademark fashion while bringing up his half-century.
MOST SIXES IN TEST CRICKET
Ben Stokes — 138 sixes
Brendon McCullum — 107 sixes
Rishabh Pant — 100 sixes*
Adam Gilchrist — 100 sixes
Tim Southee — 98 sixes
FASTEST TO 100 SIXES IN TESTS (BY INNINGS)
89 — Rishabh Pant*
130 — Adam Gilchrist
151 — Ben Stokes
170 — Brendon McCullum
FEWEST DELIVERIES TO 100 SIXES IN TESTS
4,918 — Rishabh Pant
6,578 — Adam Gilchrist
9,042 — Ben Stokes
9,756 — Brendon McCullum
HOW RISHABH PANT UNLEASHED IN GALLE
Pant's aggressive batting style had been a talking point before the match, with his approach drawing mixed reactions. In India's first innings, he made 39 off 62 deliveries, an unusually restrained effort by his standards, before being dismissed while attempting a big shot.
However, on Day 4, Pant appeared to have been given the freedom to attack as India looked to build a sizeable lead and set Sri Lanka a challenging target.
He walked in with India at 81 for three after captain Shubman Gill's dismissal.
Pant initially played cautiously and found his first boundary from his 13th delivery. In the following over, he welcomed Lahiru Kumara back into the attack by smashing him for a six, sending the ball out of the stadium and forcing the umpires to replace it.
Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel fell around the lunch interval, but Pant then shifted into a higher gear and began putting the Sri Lankan bowlers under pressure. He particularly targeted off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha, striking him for three boundaries in the 36th over.
The following over saw Pant hammer Kumara for another six, taking his tally to 100 Test sixes and creating history.
He continued attacking, producing several unconventional strokes and adding more boundaries before eventually being dismissed for 66 off 69 balls.
By then, however, Pant had already etched his name into the record books and helped India establish a commanding position in the Test.
