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Rishabh Pant Becomes First Indian Batter to Reach 100 Test Sixes During Galle Test

r/Sports •
Darom AI August 19, 2026
Rishabh Pant Becomes First Indian Batter to Reach 100 Test Sixes During Galle Test
Rishabh Pant Becomes First Indian Batter to Reach 100 Test Sixes During Galle Test

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant made history on August 18, 2026, during the fourth day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, becoming the first Indian player and the fourth overall to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket. Pant achieved the milestone during a 66-run innings from 69 balls, which also marked his 20th Test half-century.

Entering the match with 97 Test sixes, Pant equaled Chris Gayle's mark of 98 during India's first innings before securing the milestone in the second innings. He reached the landmark off the bowling of Sri Lankan pacer Lahiru Kumara. By accomplishing the feat in his 51st Test, Pant set a new world record for the fewest balls faced to reach 100 Test sixes, requiring 4,918 deliveries to surpass Australia's Adam Gilchrist.

Elite Company in Test Cricket History

With this achievement, Pant joins an exclusive group of international batters who have crossed the threshold of 100 sixes in the format. The milestone places him alongside England's Ben Stokes, New Zealand's Brendon McCullum, and Australia's Adam Gilchrist. Among these players, Pant holds the record for speed by balls faced, establishing a superior scoring rate in the longest format of the game.

The innings contributed significantly to India's position in the opening match of the series at Galle. Pant's aggressive style of play has consistently yielded rapid run-accumulation for the national side, particularly in overseas conditions.

Match Context and Background

The milestone occurred during a high-stakes series opener on spin-friendly pitches in Sri Lanka. Pant's aggressive approach in the middle order has been a hallmark of his career since his Test debut, allowing him to break several wicketkeeping and batting records for India. Sport analysts note that his ability to clear the boundary consistently sets him apart in modern Test cricket.

Fact Check Analysis AI Verified
--- > **Claim:** Rishabh Pant made history on August 18, 2026, during the fourth day of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, becoming the first Indian player and the fourth overall to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Search evidence confirms that on August 18, 2026, during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, Rishabh Pant became the first Indian batter and the fourth overall to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket. [India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/rishabh-pant-fastest-100-test-sixes-sri-lanka-vs-india-galle-2973878-2026-08-18), [The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-sri-lanka/rishabh-pant-creates-history-becomes-first-indian-to-achieve-this-feat-in-tests/articleshow/133316107.cms) --- --- > **Claim:** Pant achieved the milestone during a 66-run innings from 69 balls, which also marked his 20th Test half-century. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Search evidence confirms that Pant scored 66 runs off 69 balls, marking his 20th Test half-century during the innings. [UniIndia](https://www.uniindia.com/pant-s-66-sets-sl-daunting-372-run-target-as-india-collapse-to-193-at-tea/sports/news/3946786.html), [The Newsmill](https://thenewsmill.com/2026/08/sri-lanka-set-372-to-chase-as-asitha-fernando-and-prabath-jayasuriya-dismiss-india-for-193/) --- --- > **Claim:** Entering the match with 97 Test sixes, Pant equaled Chris Gayle's mark of 98 during India's first innings before securing the milestone in the second innings. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Search records show Pant entered the match with 97 Test sixes and subsequently equaled Chris Gayle's mark of 98 before eventually reaching the 100-six milestone in the match. [Livemint](https://www.livemint.com/sports/cricket-news/ind-vs-sl-rishabh-pant-on-verge-of-achieving-historic-milestone-as-india-gear-up-for-landmark-600th-test/amp-11786764881391.html), [The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/rishabh-pant-first-indian-fastest-to-hit-100-sixes-test-cricket-ind-vs-sl-1st-test/article71359726.ece/amp/) --- --- > **Claim:** He reached the landmark off the bowling of Sri Lankan pacer Lahiru Kumara. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Search evidence notes that Pant reached his milestone hitting off the bowling of Sri Lankan pacer Lahiru Kumara. [India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/rishabh-pant-fastest-100-test-sixes-sri-lanka-vs-india-galle-2973878-2026-08-18), [UniIndia](https://www.uniindia.com/pant-s-66-sets-sl-daunting-372-run-target-as-india-collapse-to-193-at-tea/sports/news/3946786.html) --- --- > **Claim:** By accomplishing the feat in his 51st Test, Pant set a new world record for the fewest balls faced to(reach 100 Test sixes, requiring 4,918 deliveries to surpass Australia's Adam Gilchrist. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Search evidence confirms that Pant achieved the milestone in his 51st Test and set a world record for the fewest balls faced (4,918 deliveries), surpassing Adam Gilchrist's previous mark. [India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/rishabh-pant-fastest-100-test-sixes-sri-lanka-vs-india-galle-2973878-2026-08-18), [News18](https://www.news18.com/agency-feeds/rishabh-pant-becomes-first-indian-to-smash-100-sixes-in-test-cricket-10279569.html) --- --- > **Claim:** The milestone places him alongside England's Ben Stokes, New Zealand's Brendon McCullum, and Australia's Adam Gilchrist as players who have crossed the threshold of 100 sixes in the format. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Search records verify that Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum, and Adam Gilchrist are the other international batters who have crossed 100 Test sixes alongside Pant. [India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/rishabh-pant-fastest-100-test-sixes-sri-lanka-vs-india-galle-2973878-2026-08-18), [News18](https://www.news18.com/agency-feeds/rishabh-pant-becomes-first-indian-to-smash-100-sixes-in-test-cricket-10279569.html) ---

AI Research Queries

  • 🔍 Rishabh Pant 100 test sixes India vs Sri Lanka Galle August 2026
  • 🔍 Rishabh Pant 20th test half century 66 runs 69 balls Sri Lanka 2026
  • 🔍 Rishabh Pant fewest balls to 100 test sixes 4918 deliveries Adam Gilchrist record
  • 🔍 Rishabh Pant 97 test sixes Chris Gayle Lahiru Kumara Galle Test

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