Rishabh Pant Breaks Adam Gilchrist Record for Most Away Test Sixes: Indian star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has achieved another major milestone during the first Test match being played between India and Sri Lanka at the Galle Stadium. Pant played a brisk innings of 39 runs off 39 balls in the first innings against Sri Lanka, featuring four fours and one towering six.
The solitary six, hit off spinner Prabath Jayasuriya’s delivery on Sunday, proved historic for Pant. It marked his 57th six in Test cricket on foreign soil (away matches). With this feat, he has moved up to second place on the list of batters with the most Test sixes hit on overseas soil.
Rishabh Pant Surpasses Adam Gilchrist in Away Test Sixes
During this innings, Rishabh Pant surpassed the legendary former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist. Gilchrist had hit 56 Test sixes in away matches during his career (1999–2008).
Now, the only player ahead of Pant is former England all-rounder Ben Stokes, who has hit 69 sixes on foreign soil.
Most Sixes in Away Test Matches: Top 5 List
- Ben Stokes (England) – 69 sixes
- Rishabh Pant (India) – 57 sixes
- Adam Gilchrist (Australia) – 56 sixes
- Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 51 sixes
- Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 45 sixes
Rishabh Pant Nears 100 Test Sixes Milestone
Rishabh Pant is making rapid strides not only in the record for away Test sixes but also in the overall tally of Test sixes.
Pant has hit 98 sixes in 51 Test matches so far. He is just two sixes away from reaching the milestone of 100 sixes in Test history.
In the overall list, Pant is currently tied for fourth place with West Indies’ Chris Gayle (98 sixes) and former New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee (98 sixes).
Most Sixes in Test Cricket History
- Ben Stokes – 138 sixes (122 matches)
- Brendon McCullum – 107 sixes (101 matches)
- Adam Gilchrist – 100 sixes (96 matches)
- Rishabh Pant / Chris Gayle / Tim Southee – 98 sixes each
Rishabh Pant and Devdutt Padikkal 71-Run Partnership
As for the match, Rishabh Pant shared a crucial 71-run partnership for the third wicket with Devdutt Padikkal in the Galle Test.
Making his return to the Test team after a long hiatus, Devdutt Padikkal played a magnificent century-plus innings, putting India in a strong position. Padikkal scored 167 runs off 230 balls, hitting 15 fours and one six. This marks his maiden international Test century.
Earlier, Padikkal had shared a 162-run partnership for the second wicket with KL Rahul. Rahul scored 82 runs off 175 balls (10 fours, 1 six). Additionally, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed 32 runs, captain Shubman Gill scored 16 runs, and Ravindra Jadeja added 13 runs.
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