New Delhi:On the fourth day of the first Test match between India and Sri Lanka being played at the picturesque International Stadium of Galle, Indian star wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant registered his name in golden letters in the pages of history with his aggressive batting. When the Indian team came on the field with the intention of giving a big target to the host team by scoring fast runs in the match, Pant attacked the bowlers in his familiar style. With this, he became the first batsman in the world to hit the fastest 100 sixes in the history of Test cricket.
Historic achievement made after eight years
Pant achieved this record exactly eight years after his Test debut. He left the legendary batsmen far behind by completing 100 sixes in just the 89th Test innings of his career.
The record of hitting 100 sixes in the fewest innings was in the name of former Australian legend Adam Gilchrist, who achieved this feat in 130 innings.
Showed fierce form after restraint
At the beginning of the innings, Rishabh Pant understood the mood of the pitch and batted cautiously, respecting the deadly balls of the Sri Lankan bowlers. But once he set foot on the crease, he changed gears and hit spectacular shots at every corner of the ground.
He hit a long six over long-off off fast bowler Lahiru Kumara. After this, playing his trademark hook shot on Kumara's own ball, he sent the ball over fine leg to Darshakdigha and completed his century of sixes. Thanks to this brilliant six, he also completed his half-century in just 53 balls.
Fastest batsman to hit 100 sixes in test history
Rishabh Pant made a special mark in Test cricket with his brilliant batting in just 89 innings. At the same time, Australia's great wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist took 130 innings to reach this milestone. England's Ben Stokes achieved this feat in 151 innings, while former New Zealand captain and explosive batsman Brendon McCullum played 170 innings. From these figures, Pant's fast and effective batting can be estimated.
Joined Global Elite Club
By reaching this milestone, Rishabh Pant has joined the list of select legends of world cricket who have hit 100 or more sixes in Tests. Former England captain Ben Stokes (138 sixes) tops this list. After him comes Brendon McCullum of New Zealand (107 sixes). Now Rishabh Pant has reached par with Adam Gilchrist with 100 sixes and has become the first Indian cricketer to do so.