Rishabh Pant’s aggressive batting style has long been compared to his reputation as a “babysitter,” a playful moniker born from a 2018 Boxing Day Test banter with Australian captain Tim Paine. While the joke eventually became a fan chant, Pant has proven his worth on the field by becoming one of the most prolific six-hitters in the format. Under the sun at Galle on Day 4, Pant reached his 100th Test six, placing him in elite company alongside legends like Adam Gilchrist, Brendon McCullum, and the record-holder Ben Stokes, who has 137. Notably, Pant reached this milestone in just 4,918 deliveries, significantly faster than Gilchrist (6,578), Stokes (9,042), and McCullum (9,756).
The Indian wicketkeeper-batter’s innings was a masterclass in situational awareness. During the morning session, he signaled his intent by stepping out to Lahiru Kumara and lofting a length delivery out of the ground for his 99th six. As India’s lead approached 300, Sri Lanka attempted to neutralize him by employing a short-ball strategy. Asitha Fernando returned to the attack with five boundary riders, bowling exclusively short to tempt Pant into a high-risk shot. However, Pant remained disciplined, swaying away from the rising deliveries and keeping his defensive strokes grounded to avoid giving a catch to Niroshan Dickwella.
Pant’s tactical battle extended to the spinners, particularly Nuwantha Keshara, who challenged him with off-side traps and round-the-wicket angles. Pant largely let the ball pass, though he occasionally countered by sweeping when the length was pushed up. He eventually shifted gears, reverse-sweeping Keshara for four before pulling a shorter delivery. This aggression forced Sri Lanka to adjust, but Pant remained composed, even ducking under a dangerous bumper immediately after hitting a milestone six off Kumara to reach his half-century.
Reflecting on the performance, teammate Devdutt Padikkal praised Pant’s unique ability to captivate an audience, noting that he is the type of batter fans love to watch every day. During their 54-run partnership, which lasted 60 balls, Ravindra Jadeja contributed 7 runs off 17 deliveries, largely serving as a spectator to Pant’s calculated assault. Pant eventually fell for 66 off 69 balls, top-edging a short ball from Kumara to Dickwella, but his effort had already pushed India’s lead to a commanding 371.
Statistically, Pant’s innings was highly efficient. He faced 21 deliveries from pacers at a 10m length, scoring 17 runs, and successfully dispatched a 6m good-length ball for a six. Despite walking off the field seemingly frustrated with his dismissal, his contribution was pivotal on a day where 14 wickets fell. While Sri Lanka found some success with their bowling plans, Pant’s ability to bend the game to his will ensured India remained in a dominant position as the Test progressed. The report also notes that with MS Dhoni back in the limited-overs squad, the Australian Test captain suggested Pant could perhaps babysit his children in his spare time. The report also notes that a week later, with Pant smashed his bowlers around at the SCG, an Indian fan group turned Paine’s joke into a song: He’ll hit you for a six, he’ll babysit your kids. The report also notes that did Pant come through as a babysitter. The report also notes that well yes, there’s a photo of him with Paine’s kids in his arms on social media. The report also notes that the man who first injected modern Test cricket with a batting serum that could flip whole games in a short passage of play, that took him level with Adam Gilchrist. The report also notes that the player ahead of them both, Brendon McCullum, was cut from the same cloth too, with 107 sixes to his name. The report also notes that ahead of them all is the outlier, Ben Stokes, who cracked 137. The report also notes that though, he could be miles ahead of everyone on that list, by the time Pant is done with this format.
