Rishabh Pant Ascends to Top of India’s WTC Run-Scoring Charts, Creates Six-Hitting History
Galle, Sri Lanka – In a dazzling display of power-hitting and strategic brilliance on the fourth day of the Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle, Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has not only surpassed teammate Shubman Gill to become India’s leading run-scorer in the World Test Championship (WTC) but has also carved his name into the annals of Test cricket history by becoming the first Indian to smash 100 sixes in the format.
Pant’s sensational performance, featuring scores of 39 in the first innings and a rapid 66 off just 69 balls in the second, propelled his WTC tally to an impressive 2,885 runs. This milestone comfortably places him 18 runs ahead of the previous leader, Shubman Gill, who currently stands at 2,867 runs. Gill, unfortunately, endured a challenging outing in Galle, managing only 16 and 8 runs across his two innings.
While both Pant and Gill have featured in 41 WTC matches, Pant’s ascendancy is particularly noteworthy as he achieved his run-scoring feat in 73 innings, two fewer than Gill’s 75 innings. This demonstrates a remarkable consistency and efficiency in his batting approach throughout the championship.
Beyond his WTC dominance, Pant’s second-innings assault was laced with two towering sixes, taking his career total in Test cricket to an unprecedented 100 maximums. This makes him the first Indian batsman ever to reach this remarkable landmark and only the fourth player overall in the history of Test cricket to achieve such a feat. Prior to this match, Pant had 97 Test sixes to his name. He added one in the first innings and then, in his blistering 66-run knock, cleared the boundary against Lahiru Kumara before bringing up his 100th six with another magnificent shot off the same pacer. This momentous hit also brought up his half-century in just 53 balls, showcasing his characteristic aggressive style.
Pant now leads a distinguished list of Indian Test cricketers in the WTC run-scoring charts. Following him are Shubman Gill (2,867 runs), Rohit Sharma (2,716 runs), Ravindra Jadeja (2,632 runs), and Virat Kohli (2,617 runs). Young sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal (2,543 runs) and KL Rahul (2,265 runs) complete the top seven.
His impressive WTC record includes six centuries and 17 fifties, with a personal best score of 146 runs, and an average of 41.81. While Pant dominates the Indian charts, the overall WTC run-scoring leader remains England’s Joe Root, who has amassed a colossal 6,651 runs in 77 matches. Root is poised to further extend his lead as England prepares to face Pakistan in a three-Test series at Headingley.
For Rishabh Pant, however, the immediate focus is on his new status as India’s premier WTC run-scorer and the historic achievement of becoming the first Indian to hit 100 Test sixes. His latest performance in Galle has not only elevated his standing in Indian cricket but has also added another memorable chapter to his already eventful and captivating Test career.
