Picture Credit: X
In the bastion of excellence called Test cricket, run making at a good pace has today become quite the norm, if not a definite predetermined rule. Which is why making runs at brisk pace and sometimes, as the affable Ravi Shastri would call it "tracer bullet pace" should be considered remarkable. Several greats from the previous era have excelled in it. Take Abraham Benjamin de Villiers for example, who's played both blockathons as well as rampant Test knocks. Remember the 75-ball-hundred that came during the 2012-13 season versus Australia? Then there's Brian Lara for example whose 400 unbeaten runs off 582 delveries came at a strike rate north of 72.
Six hitting, therefore, must play a part in rampant scoring - don't you think? And if that is at all the case, then what may be the scene in Indian cricket- always passionate, seldom mediocre (recent Test performance versus the Protea at home notwithstanding). Interestingly, there have been several trailblazing six hitters in the red ball format who have entertained just much as they have thrived amid pressure. That told, let us look at the list of Indian players to hit most sixes in Test cricket (as on date).
Indian players to hit most sixes in Test cricket history
Rishabh Pant - 92 sixes
Fearless, ferocious and fun - the 'Spidy' of Indian cricket, Rishabh Pant holds the record for being on top of the list of Indian players with most sixes in Test cricket. At 92, he's nowhere near his peak and can do yet more wonders (as he must) for further steadying Indian cricket.
Virender Sehwag - 90 sixes
Brutal and blazing with the bat, if also a master of using poor choice of words as evident in his "analyst" or "commentary" career, where jokes on Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor could irk the finest of stand ups to flaunt a deadpan expression, Sehwag hit 90 sixes in his red ball cricket career. It was a format in which he hit hard runs, smashed bowlers, scored what still is India's highest individual Test score ( that mega triple ton vs Pakistan) and kept the crowds to the edge of their feet. There'll only ever be one Virender Sehwag whose baffling talent at timing the ball and finding the gaps still is in a league of its own.
Rohit Sharma - 88 sixes
The great 'Hitman' of the game, Rohit Sharma may not have exactly blossomed in Test match cricket but his freakish-meets-easygoing genius led him to some interesting moments in the red ball format. The cornerstone moment of his journey being the 212 versus the Protea that came nearly half a decade ago during Faf du Plessis' last tour to India in red ball format. The dominant run maker whose Test average is north of 40, has struck 88 sixes.
Ravindra Jadeja - 80 sixes
Sir Ravindra Jadeja, a cricketer as entertaining as he's worthy of respect and yet someone who hardly gets appreciated for all that he's done, has hit 80 sixes in his Test career, which during India's 2025 tour to England found fresh perspective and dollops of respect.
MS Dhoni - 78 sixes
Former Indian cricket captain, also famously described as "Captain Cool" hit 78 sixes in his career. His finest moment as a batter, statistically speaking, came during the mega double ton at Chepauk and that too, versus Australia.
FAQs
How many sixes has former Indian captain MS Dhoni hit in Test cricket?
MS Dhoni has hit 78 sixes from 90 Test matches across 144 innings.
Who has hit the maximum number of sixes so far in Tests for India?
Rishabh Pant recently surpassed Virender Sehwag, hitting 92 sixes so far in his red-ball cricket career.
