The Milestone Moment for Pant
On August 18, 2026, during the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, Rishabh Pant reached a landmark that no Indian batter had before him: 100 sixes in Test cricket. He achieved this milestone in just his 51st Test, making him the fastest player to do
so, comfortably beating the previous record held by Ben Stokes, who took 82 Tests. Before the match, Pant needed just three sixes to reach the century, and his aggressive intent was clear. This achievement solidifies his reputation as one of the most exciting and game-changing players in the modern era, unafraid to take risks and dominate bowling attacks in the sport's longest format.
5. Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 98 Sixes
Just shy of the 100-sixes club is the 'Universe Boss' himself, Chris Gayle. Known more for his white-ball exploits, Gayle brought his signature swagger and power to the Test arena as well. With 98 sixes, he terrified opposition bowlers with his stand-and-deliver approach. Gayle’s inclusion on this list is a testament to his unique ability to blend brute force with a calm demeanor at the crease. He is one of the few players who could hit a triple century in Tests and back it up with some of the most destructive short-form innings ever seen, proving that his power game translated across all formats of cricket.
4. Adam Gilchrist (Australia) – 100 Sixes
The original trailblazer of the 100-six club was Australia’s legendary wicketkeeper-batter, Adam Gilchrist. Finishing his career with exactly 100 maximums, Gilchrist revolutionized the role of a number seven batter. He didn’t just score runs; he changed the momentum of matches in a single session with his ferocious, attacking style. His ability to counter-attack under pressure made the Australian team of the late 90s and 2000s nearly unbeatable. Gilchrist was the first to show that a wicketkeeper could be a genuine, aggressive batting threat, and he set a benchmark for power-hitting that would influence generations to come.
3. Rishabh Pant (India) – 100 Sixes
The latest entrant to this exclusive list, Rishabh Pant now sits alongside Adam Gilchrist with 100 sixes. As the fastest man to the milestone, Pant's brand of fearless cricket has been a hallmark of the Indian Test team in recent years. Whether it's reverse-scooping a fast bowler or charging down the pitch to a spinner, his unpredictable and aggressive style has dismantled some of the world's best bowling attacks. He is the first and only Indian batter to reach this landmark, surpassing previous greats like Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma.
2. Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) – 107 Sixes
Before 'Bazball' was a coaching philosophy, it was a batting style embodied by its creator, Brendon McCullum. The former New Zealand captain held the record for most Test sixes for years, finishing his career with 107. McCullum was a revolutionary figure who believed in playing an aggressive, positive brand of cricket regardless of the situation. His approach fundamentally changed New Zealand's fortunes and laid the groundwork for the modern era's attacking mindset in Test cricket. It's fitting that the man who now coaches England's aggressive Test side was once the format's most prolific six-hitter.
1. Ben Stokes (England) – 138 Sixes
At the top of the mountain stands England's current Test captain, Ben Stokes. With an incredible 138 sixes (and counting), he surpassed his own coach, Brendon McCullum, to claim the top spot in 2023. Stokes has made six-hitting a tactical weapon, using his power to demoralize bowlers and change the course of a game in an instant. His fearless approach is best exemplified by his legendary innings at Headingley in 2019, where his aggressive hitting snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. As the leader of the 'Bazball' era, Stokes not only hits the most sixes but also embodies the philosophy that aggressive cricket is winning cricket.
