Rishabh Pant may have scored only 39 in India’s first innings against Sri Lanka at Galle, but one of his shots was enough to create another significant Test milestone. For cricket followers using Cricplus, Pant’s six during his 62-ball innings took him to 57 sixes in away Tests, moving him ahead of Adam Gilchrist’s tally of 56 and into second place on the overall away-Test list behind Ben Stokes. Pant has now struck 98 sixes in his Test career and is only two away from becoming the first Indian to reach 100.
What Record Did Rishabh Pant Break in Galle?
Pant’s solitary six in Galle carried much more statistical significance than his eventual score suggested.
Current records after the innings list the leading six-hitters in away Tests as:
- Ben Stokes – 69
- Rishabh Pant – 57
- Adam Gilchrist – 56
- Chris Gayle – 51
- Jacques Kallis – 45
For Cricplus Login readers, the striking part is how quickly Pant has reached this level. His career numbers currently stand at 3,596 Test runs from 88 innings, with eight hundreds, 19 fifties and 98 sixes.
Pant Is Now Closing In on 100 Test Sixes
Before the Galle Test, Pant had 97 Test sixes and needed three to become the first Indian to reach the 100-six landmark. His six in the first innings moved the total to 98.
That puts another major achievement within reach during the Sri Lanka series.
For Cricplus App followers, Pant’s position is remarkable because India has produced several famous attacking Test batters. He had already overtaken Virender Sehwag’s Indian record of 91 Test sixes in November 2025.
Why Is Pant So Different From a Traditional Test Batter?
Pant does not treat attacking cricket as something reserved for a loose delivery.
He is prepared to manufacture scoring opportunities against good balls, especially when facing spin. His willingness to leave the crease, alter his stance or attack areas normally considered risky makes defensive fields difficult to maintain.
Former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews compared Pant’s potential impact to Virender Sehwag, another batter capable of changing a Test match rapidly by refusing to let bowlers dictate the tempo.
For Cricplus Live readers, Pant’s batting is built around several distinctive qualities:
- Fearless use of the crease
- Powerful hitting against spin
- Ability to score in unconventional areas
- Fast changes from defence to attack
- Confidence against world-class bowlers
- Willingness to hit sixes even in Test cricket
His Overseas Six-Hitting Record Is Particularly Impressive
Many aggressive batters dominate most comfortably at home. Pant’s record is different because so much of his attacking success has come overseas.
His 57 away-Test sixes are evidence that he has been prepared to attack in England, Australia, South Africa and now Sri Lanka rather than becoming significantly more conservative outside India.
For Cricplus Pro followers, that adaptability helps explain why Pant has produced several of his most memorable Test performances away from home.
His Test debut itself offered an early indication of his mindset: Pant got off the mark in Test cricket with a six against England in 2018.
Pant Can Change a Bowling Plan in Minutes
Six-hitting in Test cricket is not valuable simply because six runs are added to the scoreboard.
An aggressive batter can force a captain to change field placements. A spinner who begins with close catchers may suddenly need a long-on or deep mid-wicket. That creates additional spaces for singles and conventional boundaries.
This is where Pant becomes particularly disruptive.
A Cricplus login user watching live cricket may notice the tactical changes almost immediately when Pant begins attacking:
- Close fielders are moved deeper.
- Bowlers alter their lengths.
- Captains protect boundary areas.
- Spinners may bowl quicker or flatter.
- Pressure can shift back onto the bowling side.
The Same Aggression Can Also Create Risk
Pant’s style is valuable precisely because it is aggressive, but Galle demonstrated its potential downside.
He reached 39 with four fours and a six before charging debutant spinner Keshara Nuwantha and mistiming the ball to Sonal Dinusha. Reuters described Pant as appearing eager to accelerate before the attacking shot resulted in his dismissal.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif subsequently questioned the timing of the shot, arguing that Pant needed to assess the situation more carefully after Sri Lanka had taken the new ball.
For Cricplus App readers, this is the central debate surrounding Pant: how much should a naturally attacking batter modify the method that makes him dangerous?
Why India Still Need Pant to Attack
Turning Pant into a completely conventional Test batter could remove his greatest strength.
His scoring rate can prevent bowlers from settling into long defensive spells and can quickly change the momentum of an innings. The challenge is not eliminating aggression but choosing the right moments.
For Cricplus Live followers, the ideal version of Pant is one who combines:
- Early assessment of conditions
- Selective aggression
- Strong defence when required
- Attacking intent once established
- Awareness of the match situation
That combination can make him considerably harder to dismiss.
Conclusion
Rishabh Pant’s 39 in Galle will not rank among his biggest Test innings, but his solitary six created another notable record. He moved to 57 away-Test sixes, passing Adam Gilchrist, while his career total reached 98.
For Cricplus Pro followers, those numbers underline what makes Pant unusual. He plays Test cricket with the attacking instinct of a limited-overs batter without abandoning his ability to construct long innings.
Two more sixes would take him to 100 Test sixes, a mark no Indian batter has yet reached.
FAQs
How many Test sixes has Rishabh Pant hit?
Pant currently has 98 Test sixes after hitting one during his 39 against Sri Lanka in Galle.
What record did Pant break in Galle?
He moved to 57 sixes in away Tests, overtaking Adam Gilchrist’s tally of 56 and moving into second place behind Ben Stokes.
How many sixes does Pant need to reach 100?
He needs two more. Reaching 100 would make Pant the first Indian batter to achieve the milestone in Test cricket.
How many runs did Pant score in the Galle first innings?
Pant scored 39 from 62 balls, including four fours and one six.
Why is Rishabh Pant’s Test batting considered different?
His batting combines unconventional shot-making, aggressive footwork and a willingness to attack high-quality bowling. Angelo Mathews has compared his ability to disrupt Test matches with Virender Sehwag’s impact.
