Galle, August 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant scripted history on Tuesday by becoming the first Indian cricketer to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket, reaching the milestone during the fourth day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium.
Pant entered the match with 97 Test sixes and needed three more to reach the landmark. He added one six in India’s first innings while scoring 39 off 62 balls and completed the feat with two maximums in the second innings.
The 28-year-old smashed Lahiru Kumara for a straight six in the first session before striking him over deep fine leg in the second session to bring up his 100th six. The shot also completed his half-century off 53 deliveries.
Pant became only the fourth batter in Test history to reach 100 sixes. Former England captain Ben Stokes leads the list with 138, followed by New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum with 107. Pant’s achievement also saw him join former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist on 100 Test sixes.
Pant’s innings was notable for his disciplined approach against short-pitched bowling. He repeatedly left deliveries outside his scoring areas instead of taking unnecessary risks, particularly when Sri Lankan pacers Kumara and Asitha Fernando tested him with bouncers.
He was also effective against off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha, who had dismissed him in the first innings. Rather than attempting big shots, Pant used the reverse sweep to collect boundaries and keep the scoreboard moving.
His contribution proved important for India after Dhruv Jurel was dismissed for seven early in the second session. At the break, India were 116/4, holding an overall lead of 294 runs.
KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal had earlier helped India recover after Yashasvi Jaiswal fell to Fernando in the opening over of the second innings.
For Sri Lanka, Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya and Fernando remained among the most effective bowlers, with Fernando and Jayasuriya claiming two wickets each and Nuwantha one at the time of reporting.
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