With a blistering century at Headingley, Rishabh Pant not only outshone England’s bowlers but also etched his name above Rohit Sharma in the six-hitting charts of the ICC World Test Championship.
Leeds [UK], June 21: In a display of raw power, fearless strokeplay, and statistical domination, Rishabh Pant has overtaken Rohit Sharma to become India’s leading six-hitter in ICC World Test Championship (WTC) history. The wicketkeeper-batter achieved this remarkable feat during his match-defining innings of 134 runs off 178 balls against England on Day 2 of the first Test at Headingley.
Pant’s knock, punctuated with 12 fours and 6 sixes, came at a ferocious strike rate of over 75 and proved instrumental in propelling India to a first-innings total of 471. This latest milestone takes Pant’s WTC sixes tally to 62, surpassing Rohit’s 56 sixes across 40 matches. In comparison, Pant has smashed his 62 sixes in just 35 matches, making the feat even more impressive.
🏏 Pant’s Explosive Rise in WTC History
The aggressive left-hander now stands only behind England captain Ben Stokes, who leads the WTC six-hitting chart with 83 sixes in 54 matches. Pant’s consistency and fearless approach continue to redefine wicketkeeper-batting standards in modern Test cricket.
Beyond the six-hitting milestone, Pant reached several historic landmarks in this innings:
- Surpassed MS Dhoni to become the most prolific Test century scorer among Indian wicketkeeper-batters. Pant now has 7 Test centuries, overtaking Dhoni’s 6.
- Joined Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara for the most Test centuries by an Asian designated wicketkeeper (7).
- Achieved the most centuries in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) conditions by an Asian batter. With 5 centuries in these testing environments—including 3 in England, and 1 each in Australia and South Africa—Pant has showcased an unmatched temperament abroad.
- Crossed the 3,000-run mark in Test cricket, becoming just the second Indian wicketkeeper-batter after Dhoni to do so.
📊 Pant’s Test Stats (As of Leeds Test)
- Matches: 44
- Innings: 76
- Runs: 3,082
- Average: 43.40
- Strike Rate: 73.69
- Centuries: 7
- Fifties: 15
- Sixes in WTC: 62
🏟️ Match Summary – India vs England, Headingley Test
After England opted to bowl first, India made the most of the opportunity with three centurions leading the charge:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal – 101 off 159 balls (16 fours)
- Shubman Gill (Captain) – 147 off 227 balls (19 fours, 1 six)
- Rishabh Pant – 134 off 178 balls (12 fours, 6 sixes)
India posted a strong 471 in their first innings. England’s bowling attack was led by Ben Stokes (4/66) and Josh Tongue (4/86), both claiming four wickets each.
Pant’s innings, in particular, stole the spotlight for its blend of aggression, composure, and historic significance.
🗣️ The Verdict
Rishabh Pant is no longer just India’s x-factor behind the stumps—he’s now a record-breaking six-hitter, a century machine in overseas conditions, and one of the most dangerous wicketkeeper-batters in world cricket today. His Headingley heroics are not just about runs, but about rewriting how Indian wicketkeepers are perceived on the global stage.