Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has surpassed Adam Gilchrist to become the third-highest six-hitter in Test cricket. Pant achieved this milestone during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Monday, scoring 63 runs from 89 balls, including six fours and two sixes, with a strike rate of 70.79.
Pant now has a total of 102 sixes in 52 Tests, overtaking Gilchrist, who hit 100 sixes in 96 Tests. Only former England captain Ben Stokes, with 138 sixes in 122 matches, and former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, with 107 sixes in 101 matches, remain ahead of him on the all-time list.
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In addition to this feat, Pant became the highest run-scorer for India in the ICC World Test Championship, surpassing captain Shubman Gill. In 42 matches and 74 innings, Pant has amassed 2,948 runs at an average of 42.11 and a strike rate exceeding 74, including six centuries and 18 fifties, with a highest score of 146.
He also overtook former Indian wicketkeeper and captain
He also overtook former Indian wicketkeeper and captain MS Dhoni for the most runs by an Indian wicketkeeper in away or neutral Test matches. Pant has scored 2,534 runs in 36 Tests and 64 innings under such conditions at an average of 41.54, which includes six centuries and 11 fifties.
In 2026 alone, across three Tests and four innings, Pant has scored 249 runs at an average of 62.25 and a strike rate of 73.02, registering three fifties with a highest score of 81.
During the second and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground on Monday, India reached 475 for eight wickets before rain curtailed play early on Day 2. Dhruv Jurel was unbeaten on 95 runs, five short of his maiden Test century, at the crease alongside Mohammed Siraj.
Jurel added 36 runs during the session, guiding India’s lower order with assured batting. The pair remained unbeaten when deteriorating weather conditions forced an early Tea break. India resumed at 419 for six after lunch but lost Rishabh Pant, who was dismissed for 63 off 89 balls by Keshara Nuwantha with the first ball of the second session.
Source: thenewsmill.com
