Rishabh Pant is on the verge of scripting Indian cricket history as India prepare to take on Sri Lanka in Galle. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter is just three sixes away from becoming the first Indian batter ever to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket.

Having accumulated 97 sixes across his 50 Test appearances, Pant sits ahead of legendary Indian power-hitters such as Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma, neither of whom breached the century mark for maximums in the longest format.

An Exclusive Global Club

Reaching the milestone would place Pant in an elite group of world cricket's most devastating strikers. To date, only three players in the history of men's Test cricket have struck at least 100 sixes:

• Ben Stokes (England) – 138 sixes
• Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) – 107 sixes
• Adam Gilchrist (Australia) – 100 sixes

Pant demonstrated his form and aggressive intent ahead of the series opener, smashing three sixes in the second innings of India's warm-up fixture against the Sri Lanka Cricket XI.

Historic Backdrop at Galle

The landmark opportunity arrives at a historic occasion for the venue itself. The Galle International Cricket Stadium is set to host its 50th Test match, becoming the first venue in Asia to reach the half-century milestone.

While the picturesque ground—framed by the 17th-century Galle Fort and the Indian Ocean—provides a stunning setting, the pitch presents a stern challenge for India's batting lineup. The surface typically offers runs early before deteriorating to favor spin heavily, with extra bounce and drift intensifying as the game progresses.

With India seeking to overcome past vulnerabilities against spin in challenging subcontinental conditions, and operating without spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the series, Pant's counter-attacking capability will be pivotal for the visitors.