Rishabh Pant has broken Adam Gilchrist’s record for the most sixes in Test cricket, Rediff reported on Monday, a day after the India wicketkeeper was forced off the field by a blow to the wrist in Colombo. The Rishabh Pant sixes record was set in a second-Test innings that ended with India declaring on 503 for 9 after a Dhruv Jurel hundred, Reuters reported.
How the Rishabh Pant sixes record was broken
Pant had retired hurt on 3 from 15 balls in the third session of day one, struck on the wrist of his bottom hand as he attempted to pull a 133kph short delivery from Lahiru Kumara, ESPNcricinfo reported. He resumed on Monday morning and, with Jurel, took India to 419 for 6 by lunch, according to AP News.
Devdutt Padikkal’s 117, a century in a second successive Test, had carried India to 300 for 5 on the opening day at the SSC, Shubman Gill making 50 and Asitha Fernando the pick of the home attack on 3 for 46.
India’s batting coach on Pant’s fitness
India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had sounded unconcerned once day one closed. Pant “should be fine” to continue, Kotak said, naming him among the batters he hoped would drive India forward on day two. Had he been unable to bat, Jurel was the likeliest of two reserve keepers in the XI to take the gloves.
India lead the series 1-0 after their 165-run win in Galle, and are playing without Kuldeep Yadav, who Kotak said left the first venue with viral fever. Sri Lanka, whose Asitha was fined 25% of his match fee in Sunday’s disciplinary fallout, now bat for the first time in a match that has already sharpened India’s World Test Championship push in a cycle Australia lead.
