The record for the most sixes hit by an Indian in Test cricket is that of Virender Sehwag, who smote 91 sixes in his 104-match career. Known for his aggressive style, Sehwag redrew opening batting in the longest format, which, by and large, means hitting the ball over the ropes, a rare phenomenon in traditional Test cricket. Closing in on Sehwag’s tally is the Indian captain, Rohit Sharma. Till date, by the end of December 2024, Rohit has hit 88 sixes.
This statistic indicates the change in the concept of Test cricket as aggressive batsmen like Sehwag and Rohit have destroyed the myth that Test cricket is about only defending and waiting. They have made hitting sixes in the game of the longest length exciting and, more importantly, a strategic tool where the pressure of scoring builds or runs become scarce.
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Rohit, especially, has proved his game in Tests as well, as he has in limited overs. His shots in crucial moments of a game are especially effective when they are aggressive. Close on the heels of Sehwag and Rohit is MS Dhoni, who had 78 sixes during his Test career, and then there is the great Sachin Tendulkar with 69 sixes. Other notable contributors are Ravindra Jadeja, whose attacking batting has seen him clear more than 60 sixes in his own career so far.
Sehwag’s dominance at the bat allied with his nonchalant approach remains the benchmark of the Indian cricketing community when it is to blend panache with craft in the Test arena. As we look, Rohit Sharma might end up rewriting this record himself and continue building India’s heritage of hitting big in Tests.