Rishabh Pant Powers Into Test History With Record-Breaking 6-Hitting Spree

Rishabh Pant during IND vs SL Test (Source: AP Photos)

Irrespective of whatever happens on the field, it is always certain that Rishabh Pant brings entertainment to cricket whenever he takes the bat in hand in Tests. Sunday was no different, as India and Sri Lanka had a delayed start due to rain and a wet outfield on Day 2 of the first Test in Galle.

Pant resumed the action alongside Devdutt Padikkal, who made a statement century on Day 1. He attacked Prabath Jayasuriya, one of the best in the business in Galle, during the 68th over of India’s innings to dispatch a six over wide long-on.

In the process, he reached new heights in the list of most sixes by a player in Tests, leaving behind one of the GOATs of the game, Jacques Kallis. 

Rishabh Pant’s 6-Hitting Rampage Takes Him To New Heights

Pant has now smashed 98 sixes in Test cricket, as he fell for a 62-ball 39, which had four fours and a six against Prabath Jayasuriya. There are only three players in the history of cricket who have slammed more sixes in Tests than him: Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum and Adam Gilchrist.

[Most Test Sixes By Players In Tests, As Of August 16, 2026]

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Pant Revives Test Career After 2024 Woes

Despite his heroics wherever he plays, Pant often receives criticism due to his one-dimensional, no-holds-barred approach in Test cricket. In 2024, he was impacted negatively by it, averaging only 36 after 576 runs in 17 Test innings.

However, he came back strongly after that, tallying 629 runs in 13 innings at 48.38 in 2025 before going on to make 81 and 39 in 2026.

At present, Pant averages 43.32 after 51 Tests, striking the ball at 73.91 for 3596 runs. Not to forget, he has Test centuries in Australia, England and South Africa – a feat rarely held by someone, especially among wicket-keepers in this format.

What If Rishabh Pant Loses His Spot In Tests?

However, given how the BCCI functions of late, any player is just a few failures away from losing their place in the Team India squad. Even though it seems unfair for players who have built authority with consistency, in hindsight, this is a good thing for those who are waiting on the wings among the largest pool of players from the country.

As for Pant, he has always been in the firing line, as he has no interest in changing his approach in Tests. Remember, he was removed from Test vice-captaincy role already.

So, in case he loses his place in India’s Test set-up in the near future, there are some candidates ready who can take the big gloves behind the stumps.

Among them, Dhruv Jurel is the primary candidate to replace Pant in Test cricket at present.

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