Rishabh Pant created history during the fourth day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, becoming the first Indian batter to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket. With the milestone, Pant also became the first Asian batter to reach the landmark in the longest format. The wicketkeeper-batter achieved the feat in his 51st Test, joining an elite group that previously included Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum and Adam Gilchrist. Pant reached the landmark during an aggressive second-innings knock, smashing two sixes as India looked to build a sizeable lead. His achievement was particularly significant given that no Indian batter had previously breached the 100-six mark in Tests. Pant also moved clear at the top of India’s list for most Test sixes, underlining his distinctive attacking approach to the format.
Pant eventually scored 66 runs off 69 deliveries, including eight fours and two sixes. He had made 39 in India’s first innings but responded strongly when his team needed quick runs in the second. His counter-attacking innings helped India post 193 and set Sri Lanka a target of 372 runs. Pant’s milestone also came with another record, as he became the fastest batter to complete 100 Test sixes, achieving it in 89 innings and surpassing Adam Gilchrist’s previous mark. Although he missed out on a century after being dismissed for 66, Pant’s landmark sixes ensured his innings would remain a memorable one.
India set Sri Lanka 372 after second-innings batting collapse in first Test in Galle
India were bowled out for 193 in their second innings, but the total was enough to give Sri Lanka a target of 372 in the first Test at Galle. The innings did not get off to the best of starts, with Yashasvi Jaiswal dismissed for a three-ball duck in the opening over. KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal then steadied things, with Padikkal scoring 44 and Rahul adding 35. Their contributions helped India recover after the early setback, but Sri Lanka kept picking up wickets at regular intervals. Rishabh Pant then took the attack to the bowlers, scoring 66 from 69 balls. His innings included eight fours and two sixes, with one of those sixes taking him to 100 Test sixes.
Pant’s knock was the main highlight of the innings, but India lost their last five wickets for just 19 runs. Pant was dismissed for 66 with the score on 174/6, after which Ravindra Jadeja fell for 9. Manav Suthar was then dismissed for 4 as Sri Lanka tightened the pressure on the Indian lower order. Asitha Fernando finished with 4/31, while Prabath Jayasuriya took 3/43 and Lahiru Kumara claimed 2/28. India were eventually all out for 193 in 48.5 overs. Despite the late collapse, their first-innings total of 462 and Sri Lanka’s 284 had already given them a 178-run lead. The additional 193 meant India finished with an overall lead of 371, leaving Sri Lanka needing 372 to win.
