Sixes in a Test used to be a rare phenomenon. It was a shot for batters who did not have great skills, but not anymore. The likes of Adam Gilchrist, Virender Sehwag, Brendon McCullum and Chris Gayle changed the trend while Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni made it a popular shot among batters. With pitches becoming flatter, batters expanded their shots from mere defence to offence. Now, the likes of Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ben Stokes among others are known to play explosive shots even in Test cricket.
For India, Virender Sehwag changed the trend. As an opener, when many batters perfected the art of leaving, Sehwag did not bother about perfection. Instead, he played exquisite shots. He scored a century, a double century and even a triple century, hitting a six. Now, Rishabh Pant is carrying the legacy forward.
In the IND vs ENG Manchester Test, the young Indan wicketkeeper-batter hit Jofra Archer for a six to equal Virender Sehwag with 90 sixes in the list of most sixes in Test by an Indian batter. Among active Indian batters, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal are in the list but far behind Pant.
Most sixes in Test by an Indian
| Pos | Player | Mat | Inns | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rishabh Pant | 47 | 82 | 90 |
| 2 | Virender Sehwag | 103 | 178 | 90 |
| 3 | Rohit Sharma | 67 | 116 | 88 |
| 4 | MS Dhoni | 90 | 144 | 78 |
| 5 | Ravindra Jadeja | 84 | 125 | 74 |
| 6 | Sachin Tendulkar | 200 | 329 | 69 |
| 7 | Kapil Dev | 131 | 184 | 61 |
| 8 | Sourav Ganguly | 113 | 188 | 57 |
| 9 | Shubman Gill | 36 | 66 | 43 |
| 10 | Harbhajan Singh | 103 | 145 | 42 |
| 11 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | 23 | 43 | 41 |
Top Indian batters with most sixes in Test
Virender Sehwag – 91 sixes (180 innings, 104 matches)
Known for his explosive and fearless batting, Sehwag redefined opening in Tests with an aggressive approach. His ability to dominate bowlers with lofted shots led to two triple centuries and a record-breaking 319 off 304 balls. He hit 90 sixes for India and 1 for ICC World XI in Tests.
Rishabh Pant – 90 sixes (82 innings, 47 matches)
Often dubbed as the saviour of India in Tests, the wicketkeeper-batter’s audacious strokeplay and counter-attacking style, especially in overseas conditions, have made him a modern great. His 90 sixes in fewer innings highlight his penchant for clearing the boundary.
Rohit Sharma – 88 sixes (116 innings, 67 matches)
A stylish batter with a flair for big shots, Rohit’s transition from a middle-order player to a prolific opener boosted his six-hitting tally. His elegant lofted cover drives and leadership as India’s captain are notable.
MS Dhoni – 78 sixes (144 innings, 90 matches)
A legendary wicketkeeper-captain, Dhoni’s powerful hitting and calm finishing ability made him a six-hitting force. Known for helicopter shots, he led India to multiple ICC titles while excelling in clutch situations.
Ravindra Jadeja – 74 sixes (125 innings, 84 matches)
A versatile all-rounder, Jadeja’s aggressive lower-order batting complements his world-class spin bowling and fielding. His sixes often come from quickfire knocks, turning matches with his all-round contributions.
Sachin Tendulkar – 69 sixes (329 innings, 200 matches)
The “Master Blaster,” Tendulkar’s vast six count reflects his longevity and adaptability across 24 years. While known for classical shots, his occasional aerial drives added to his monumental run tally.
Shubman Gill – 43 sixes (66 innings, 36 matches)
India’s new Test captain Shubman Gill has also turned to explosive shots in his short Test career. In 66 innings, Gill has smashed 43 sixes. As he enters a new chapter in his career at No 4, Gill would play many more such shots
Yashasvi Jaiswal – 41 sixes (43 innings, 23 matches)
If anyone has the flair of Virender Sehwag and the classic shots of Sourav Ganguly, it is Yashasvi Jaiswal. The young opener packs a punch and has often taken the offensive route against bowlers. In 43 innings, he has hit 41 sixes with many more to come.
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