Rishabh Pant breaks Virender Sehwag’s record to become India’s leading six-hitter in Test cricket

Rishabh Pant becomes highest six-hitter in Tests for India. (BCCI Photo)

On​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ the second day of the first Test between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Rishabh Pant scripted history. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter broke Virender Sehwag's record and became the player with most sixes in Indian Test cricket history. Pant hit his 92nd six in Tests during his 83rd innings, thereby going beyond Sehwag's record of 91 for the longest time.

At No. 5, Pant quickly scored 27 runs off 24 balls with two fours and two sixes. Pant hammered two sixes off Keshav Maharaj in the 38th and 42nd overs. One of these was a lofted drive over mid-off from an off-center hit, while the other was an incredible shot—Pant went down the track and after powerfully hitting the ball past long-on, he followed it deep into the stands.

Thanks to this accomplishment, Pant is listed as the seventh cricketer of all times with most sixes in Test. The current top ones are:

Ben Stokes (England) – 136 sixes in 206 innings

Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) – 107 sixes in 176 innings

Adam Gilchrist (Australia) – 100 sixes in 137 innings

Tim Southee (New Zealand) – 98 sixes in 156 innings

Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 98 sixes in 182 innings

Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 97 sixes in 280 innings

Rishabh Pant (India) – 92 sixes in 83 innings

Virender Sehwag (India) – 91 sixes in 180 innings

Unfortunately, in the 44th over, Corbin Bosch bowled a rising ball at Pant's pads and Pant was dismissed. Pant tried to pull the shot, but the ball took the extra bounce and hit the glove. It ballooned to Kyle Verreyne's right who took a simple catch behind the stumps as Pant's wicket ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌fell.