Rishabh Pant became the fastest batter in Test history to reach 100 sixes during India’s first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle on August 18, 2026. He got there in his 51st Test and 89th innings, becoming the first Indian and fourth player overall in the 100-six club. Adam Gilchrist, Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes are the other three.
ESPN reported that Pant reached the mark in 41 innings and 1,660 balls, quicker than Gilchrist. One detail needs separating: this record is about six-hitting frequency and speed to the landmark, not conventional batting strike rate.
How Did Rishabh Pant Reach 100 Test Sixes So Quickly?
Pant began the Galle Test on 97 sixes. He added one in India’s first innings, where he made 39 from 62 balls, then struck two more during a brisk 66 from 69 balls in the second innings. His 100th came when he pulled Lahiru Kumara over fine leg.
That shot placed Pant alongside Gilchrist on 100 Test sixes. It also capped a record that has been building since his Test debut in 2018. Pant’s first scoring shot in Test cricket was itself a six.
According to ESPN’s record breakdown, Pant has hit a six every 49.34 balls in Tests. Among players with at least 50 Test sixes since 1991, only Tim Southee and Shahid Afridi have cleared the ropes more frequently.
Key numbers from Pant’s record:
- 100 Test sixes reached in 51 matches.
- The landmark came in his 89th Test innings.
- Pant got there 41 innings quicker than Gilchrist.
- He needed 1,660 fewer balls than Gilchrist.
- He became the first Indian with 100 Test sixes.
Did Pant Actually Beat Adam Gilchrist’s Strike Rate?
Not in the usual batting-statistics meaning of “strike rate”. Gilchrist finished his Test career with a famously rapid scoring rate, while Pant’s new world record concerns how quickly he accumulated sixes.
The cleaner comparison is balls per six. ESPN’s figures after the Galle innings show Pant at one maximum every 49.34 balls. For the milestone, he required 1,660 fewer deliveries and 41 fewer innings than Gilchrist.
Gilchrist was the first player in Test history to hit 100 sixes. Pant has now reached the same total with far less batting time. That is why this is the fastest 100 Test sixes record, rather than a new overall batting strike-rate record.
Why Pant’s Six-Hitting Against Spin Stands Out
Spin has supplied most of Pant’s maximums. Of his first 100 Test sixes, 76 came against spin bowling. Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir conceded nine each to him, while Nathan Lyon was hit for seven.
Pant attacks spinners early, using his feet and changing his hitting arc before fields can settle.
Where Does Pant Rank Among Test Cricket’s Biggest Six-Hitters?
Pant is now level with Gilchrist on 100 sixes. Brendon McCullum remains above them with 107, while Ben Stokes leads with 138. Chris Gayle, who finished with 98, is now behind Pant.
The milestone came in a Test packed with other talking points. India made 462 in the first innings, led by Devdutt Padikkal’s 167, before Sri Lanka replied with 284. Pant’s second-innings 66 helped India set a target of 372.
On August 19, India completed a 165-run victory after bowling Sri Lanka out for 206. Manav Suthar finished the match with 10 wickets, including six in the second innings, as India went 1-0 up in the two-Test series.
The ICC’s Galle match coverage highlighted Pant’s 66 as India’s highest score of the second innings. The milestone was also celebrated by the BCCI on its official X account, marking Pant as the first Team India batter to 100 Test sixes.
Can Rishabh Pant Break The All-Time Test Sixes Record?
Pant is only seven sixes behind McCullum and 38 behind Stokes after reaching 100. At 28, he has time to chase both if he remains fit and stays in India’s Test side.
Since the start of 2025, Pant has struck 32 Test sixes in 16 innings, with at least one maximum in 14 of them. The same Galle innings also pushed Pant past Shubman Gill as India’s leading WTC run-scorer.
Pant’s boundary-hitting can change a Test session quickly, especially against spin. The Galle milestone now gives that approach a world record.
FAQs
1: Who Was The First Indian To Hit 100 Test Sixes?
Rishabh Pant became the first Indian batter to reach 100 sixes in Test cricket history.
2: How Many Tests Did Pant Need For 100 Sixes?
Pant reached 100 Test sixes in his 51st match, faster than every previous batter worldwide.
3: How Many Innings Did Pant Take To Reach The Milestone?
He reached the landmark in his 89th innings, 41 innings quicker than Adam Gilchrist overall.
4: Who Has The Most Sixes In Test Cricket?
Ben Stokes currently leads the Test six-hitting list, ahead of Brendon McCullum, Pant and Gilchrist.
5: Where Did Pant Hit His 100th Test Six?
Pant struck his 100th Test six against Sri Lanka at Galle during India’s second innings.
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