Kolkata: Star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant smashed his way into the record books on Day 2 of the India–South Africa first Test at Eden Gardens, overtaking Virender Sehwag to become India’s leading six-hitter in Test cricket. Pant achieved the milestone in style, striking two sixes in his 24-ball 27.
Pant now tops India’s Test six-hitting charts with 92 maximums, followed by Sehwag (90), Rohit Sharma (88), Ravindra Jadeja (80) and MS Dhoni (78). He also sits seventh on the all-time global list, which is headed by England captain Ben Stokes with 136 sixes.
Needing just one six to surpass Sehwag’s tally when he walked in on Saturday morning, Pant wasted no time. He cleared the ropes off the fifth delivery he faced, bowled by Keshav Maharaj, before launching another six off the same bowler. His brisk cameo ended when pacer Corbin Bosch dismissed him.
As for the match, India went to lunch at 138/4, with Ravindra Jadeja and Dhruv Jurel unbeaten. Starting from an overnight 37/1 and trailing South Africa by 122 runs, KL Rahul and Washington Sundar built a steady 57-run stand before spinner Simon Harmer removed Sundar for 29. Soon after, Shubman Gill retired hurt with a neck issue, bringing Pant to the crease. Rahul’s gritty 39 came to an end later in the session, leaving India at 132/4 before Jadeja and Jurel steadied the innings heading into the break.
