Rishabh Pant Surpasses Rohit Sharma To Set New Six-Hitting Record In WTC History

Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant (Source:AP)

Rishabh Pant showcased his batting prowess in Test cricket once again as he played an unbeaten 65-run knock on Day 1 of the first Test match between India and England at Headingley, Leeds. The wicketkeeper-batsman also etched his name into the record books by surpassing Rohit Sharma to become the Indian batter with the most sixes in the history of the World Test Championship (WTC).

Pant Breaks Rohit’s Massive WTC Record

The star batter punished loose deliveries and showed commendable restraint when required. With two sixes during his innings, the left-hander took his WTC tally to 58 sixes in just 35 matches, moving past Rohit Sharma’s tally of 56 in 40 matches. 

It is important to mention that Pant has 2317 runs, 4 centuries, and 14 half-centuries in the WTC so far.

The overall record for most sixes in WTC remains with England captain Ben Stokes, who has cleared the boundary ropes 83 times. Stokes also have made 3312 runs, with 7 centuries, 17 half-centuries, and 82 wickets. 

Top 5 players with most sixes in WTC history: 

It is also important to note that during this knock, Rishabh Pant also created another record. He has now surpassed former Indian skipper MS Dhoni as India's most successful wicketkeeper-batter in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries. Pant now has 1746 runs in SENA in 27 matches at an average of 38.80. 

India Off To A Flier In Leeds

India had a near-perfect start to the Leeds Test, with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul putting on 91 runs for the first wicket. Jaiswal went on to notch up a gritty century, battling through cramps before falling for 101.

The highlight of the day, however, was Shubman Gill’s commanding performance. Leading India in a Test for the first time, Gill made his debut as captain even more memorable by scoring an unbeaten 127 off 175 balls. He became only the fifth Indian to score a century on Test captaincy debut. His 138-run unbeaten stand with Pant has put India in a commanding position heading into Day 2.

With India well placed, all eyes will be on the visitors to build on their strong foundation and potentially take the game away from England early in the series.

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