Key Points

Rishabh Pant has overtaken Rohit Sharma to become India's leading six-hitter in the World Test Championship. He also surpassed MS Dhoni for the most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper. Pant's aggressive 134 in Leeds helped India post a strong total of 471. His record-breaking performances highlight his growing dominance in Test cricket.

Key Points: Rishabh Pant Surpasses Rohit Sharma as India's Top WTC Six-Hitter

  • Pant hits 62 sixes in WTC, surpassing Rohit Sharma's 56
  • Becomes India's top wicketkeeper-batter with 7 Test centuries
  • Equals Kumar Sangakkara's record for most Asian keeper centuries
  • Smashes 134 in Leeds Test, boosting India to 471 runs
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Pant overtakes Rohit to become India's top six-hitter in WTC history

Pant overtakes Rohit Sharma with 62 sixes in WTC, also breaks MS Dhoni's record for most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper.

"Pant now has seven centuries, overtaking Dhoni, who has six Test centuries. – Match Report"

Leeds, June 21

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant overtook former skipper Rohit Sharma, becoming the team's leading six-hitter in the history of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) history.

Pant accomplished this feat during his side's first Test against England at Leeds on Friday. During his knock of 134 in 178 balls, Pant smashed 12 fours and six sixes, scoring at a run-rate of above 75.

With this, Pant's six count in WTC has gone up to 62, overtaking Rohit's tally of 56 in 40 Tests. The 27-year-old has smashed these sixes in just 35 matches, scoring a total of 2,386 runs at an average of 41.85 with five centuries and 13 fifties in his WTC career.

The leading six-hitter in ICC WTC history is England skipper Ben Stokes, who has smashed 83 sixes in 54 Tests.

Pant on Saturday also surpassed MS Dhoni to register the most Test centuries by an Indian wicketkeeper-batter and continued his good show in what are regarded as tough wickets in countries outside Asia.

Pant now has seven centuries, overtaking Dhoni, who has six Test centuries. This is also his fifth century in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) conditions, the most by an Asian batter. Three of these centuries have come in England and one each have come in Australia and South Africa.

Also, he has equalled Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara (seven centuries) for most centuries in Tests as a designated keeper among all Asian countries.

Earlier on Friday, Pant also completed his 3,000 Test runs, becoming the second Indian wicketkeeper-batter to do so after Dhoni and overtook Dhoni to become Asia's most successful wicketkeeper-batter in SENA on the basis of run count.

In 44 Tests for India, Pant has scored 3,082 runs at an average of 43.40, with seven centuries and 15 fifties in 76 innings. His runs have come at a stunning strike rate of 73.69.

Coming to the match, England opted to bowl first. Centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (101 in 159 balls, with 16 fours), skipper Shubman Gill (147 in 227 balls, with 19 fours and a six) and Pant (134 in 178 balls, with 12 fours and six sixes) took India to 471 all out. Skipper Ben Stokes (4/66) and Josh Tongue (4/86) were the top bowlers for England.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun P.
Pant is truly revolutionizing Test cricket! His strike rate of 73.69 in Tests is unheard of. While purists might complain, this aggressive approach is exactly what modern Test cricket needs. So proud to see an Indian leading this change 🇮🇳🏏
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Priya M.
What an innings! But let's not forget Rohit's contribution - 56 sixes in 40 Tests is no small feat either. Both these players have changed how India approaches Test batting. The future looks bright with Jaiswal and Gill also performing so well!
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Rahul K.
Pant's stats in SENA countries are incredible! 5 centuries outside Asia is a massive achievement. Remember how we used to struggle in these conditions? Now we have players thriving there. This is the real sign of India becoming a world-class Test team.
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Sunita R.
While I love Pant's aggression, I sometimes worry he takes too many risks early in his innings. That said, you can't argue with results! Equalling Sangakkara's record is no joke. Hope he stays fit and keeps entertaining us for years to come 😊
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Vikram S.
The most impressive part? He's achieved all this before turning 28! Imagine where he'll be by the time he's 35 if he maintains this form. Already overtaking legends like Dhoni... Pant is writing his own legacy in Indian cricket history books.
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Neha T.
That partnership between Pant and Jaiswal was pure fire! 🔥 So refreshing to see young Indian batters dominating overseas. The way Pant counter-attacked the English bowlers was a masterclass. Hope he breaks Stokes' record soon - only 21 sixes to go!

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