Rishabh Pant has added two major achievements to his Test career during India’s opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. The wicketkeeper-batter became the first Indian to reach 100 sixes in Test cricket while also moving ahead of Shubman Gill to become India’s leading run-scorer in World Test Championship history.
Pant reached both milestones during an attacking second-innings knock of 66 from 69 balls. His innings helped India build a 372-run target before the visitors eventually completed a 165-run victory.
With the second Test beginning in Colombo on August 23, Pant now enters India’s next match with another major milestone within reach.
Rishabh Pant Becomes First Indian With 100 Test Sixes
Pant reached his 100th Test six during the fourth day of the Galle Test.
No Indian batter had previously reached the landmark.
The achievement also placed Pant among a small group of international players to have struck at least 100 sixes in Test cricket.
Pant reached the mark in his 89th Test innings and became the fastest player to 100 Test sixes by innings. Reports also credit him with reaching the milestone after facing 4,918 balls, another measure of how quickly he has accumulated his sixes.
Pant’s 66 Changed India’s Second Innings
The record came during an important phase of the match.
India had already established a first-innings advantage, but Sri Lanka created pressure by taking regular wickets in India’s second innings.
Pant responded in his usual aggressive style.
He scored:
- 66 runs
- 69 balls
- 8 fours
- 2 sixes
His innings helped India reach 193 and set Sri Lanka a target of 372.
Rather than allowing the match to slow down, Pant kept the scoreboard moving and gave India’s bowlers additional runs to defend.
Pant Also Becomes India’s Leading WTC Run-Scorer
The six-hitting record was not Pant’s only major achievement in Galle.
His 66 also took him past Shubman Gill as India’s highest run-scorer in World Test Championship history.
After that innings, Pant had accumulated 2,885 WTC runs from 41 matches.
That statistic is particularly significant because Pant missed a considerable period of international cricket earlier in his career.
Despite those interruptions, he has developed into one of India’s most productive Test batters during the WTC era.
Why Pant’s Test Record Is So Important
Pant’s value does not come from conventional Test batting alone.
He can alter the pace of an innings extremely quickly.
His approach can force captains to:
- Move fielders away from catching positions
- Change bowling lengths
- Introduce defensive fields
- Rotate bowlers more frequently
- Protect boundaries earlier than planned
That ability is particularly useful when India need to accelerate a lead or counterattack after losing quick wickets.
Pant Is Closing In on 3,000 WTC Runs
Following his Galle innings, Pant sits only 115 runs away from reaching 3,000 World Test Championship runs.
The second Test in Colombo therefore presents another possible record opportunity.
If Pant scores 115 runs across the match, he would become the first Indian batter to reach the 3,000-run mark in WTC history.
It is not necessary for him to score all those runs in one innings. Runs from both innings would count toward the milestone.
Why Colombo Could Suit Pant’s Approach
The second Test will be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
Sri Lanka are likely to rely significantly on spin, and Pant has traditionally been willing to attack slow bowlers through:
- Sweeps
- Reverse sweeps
- Stepping down the pitch
- Lofted shots
- Quick strike rotation
His unconventional approach can make it difficult for spinners to settle into one defensive line.
However, Sri Lanka will also have studied how he played in Galle and may arrive with a more specific plan.
Sri Lanka May Change Their Bowling Plan
After Pant’s aggressive 66, Sri Lanka could attempt to reduce his scoring opportunities.
Possible strategies may include:
- Bowling wider outside off stump
- Using deeper leg-side protection
- Changing pace frequently
- Attacking the body with faster bowling
- Bringing fielders into unconventional positions
Pant’s response will be one of the most interesting individual battles of the second Test.
Pant’s Importance Has Grown in India’s Test Team
India are currently going through a period in which several younger players are taking on greater responsibility.
Shubman Gill is captain, Devdutt Padikkal has strengthened his case at No. 3, and Manav Suthar has emerged as a promising spin option.
Pant, despite still being relatively young, is already one of the more experienced players in the batting order.
That places greater responsibility on him in difficult situations.
Can Pant Break More Test Records?
At his current rate, Pant has an opportunity to move further up the all-time Test six-hitting list.
However, his biggest value to India will continue to be match impact rather than record accumulation.
A fast 50 in a difficult situation can sometimes be more valuable than a larger score made when conditions are easier.
That is what makes Pant unusual in the Test format.
What to Watch in the Colombo Test
For readers following India cricket updates through 11xplay, Pant will be one of the key Indian players to monitor.
Important questions include:
- Can he reach 3,000 WTC runs?
- Can he continue attacking Sri Lanka’s spinners?
- Will Sri Lanka use a different field against him?
- Can he produce another decisive middle-order innings?
- How will he respond if India lose early wickets?
The answer to those questions could have a major influence on the second Test.
Conclusion
Rishabh Pant’s Galle performance added another remarkable chapter to his Test career.
Becoming the first Indian to reach 100 Test sixes would have been significant on its own, but moving to the top of India’s World Test Championship run-scoring list during the same innings makes the achievement even bigger.
The attention now moves to Colombo.
With Pant just 115 runs short of 3,000 WTC runs, India’s second Test against Sri Lanka could produce another major career milestone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Test sixes does Rishabh Pant have?
Pant reached 100 Test sixes during India’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Is Rishabh Pant the first Indian to hit 100 Test sixes?
Yes. He became the first Indian batter to reach the landmark.
How many runs did Pant score in the Galle second innings?
Pant scored 66 from 69 balls, including eight fours and two sixes.
Who has scored the most WTC runs for India?
Rishabh Pant moved ahead of Shubman Gill during the Galle Test to become India’s leading WTC run-scorer.
How many WTC runs does Pant have?
After his 66 in Galle, Pant had 2,885 runs in World Test Championship matches.
When is India’s next Test?
India’s second Test against Sri Lanka begins in Colombo on August 23, 2026.
