Test cricket is a format that demands exceptional patience, focus, and resilience to succeed. In this longest version of the game, batsmen must toil for every run, often battling disciplined bowling attacks over extended periods.
Indian pitches, known for their unpredictable and often challenging nature, frequently push batsmen to adopt a more proactive mindset. Without this adaptability, they risk succumbing to an unexpected delivery before making a significant impact on the scoreboard.
Some Indian batsmen have met this challenge head-on by embracing an aggressive approach. This strategy not only helps them score runs quickly but also disrupts the bowlers’ line, length, and rhythm, turning the pressure back onto the opposition.
5. Mayank Agarwal – 18 Sixes (2019)
Mayank Agarwal emerged as a key player in India’s top order between 2018 and 2022. Renowned for his quick footwork and ability to dominate spin, Agarwal had a stellar start to his Test career. In 2019, he demonstrated his attacking prowess by smashing 18 sixes, marking a standout year for the batter.
Though currently active, Agarwal last represented India in 2022 against Sri Lanka. Across his Test career, he has scored 1488 runs at an impressive average of 41.33.
4. Rohit Sharma – 20 Sixes (2019)
Rohit Sharma, now India’s Test captain, experienced a career resurgence in 2019 when he became a regular in the longest format, 12 years after his international debut. His promotion to opener proved transformative, with Rohit smashing 20 sixes that year, reflecting his dominance at the crease.
Rohit has since amassed 4241 runs in Test cricket at an average of 42.8, including 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries, establishing himself as a force in the format.
3. Rishabh Pant – 21 Sixes (2022)
Dynamic wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant made history in 2022, hitting 21 sixes in Test cricket during the calendar year. Known for his fearless and flamboyant approach, Pant is considered one of India’s biggest match-winners with the bat.
Since his Test debut in 2018 against England, Pant has cemented his place as one of the world’s most exciting players, with 2022 standing out as a year of match-defining knocks.
2. Virender Sehwag – 22 Sixes (2008)
Virender Sehwag was at his destructive best in 2008, a year highlighted by his breathtaking 319-run knock, his career-best score. Sehwag’s explosive batting style was on full display as he hammered 22 sixes, leaving bowlers in disarray.
One of the most feared openers of his time, Sehwag played 104 Tests, scoring 8586 runs at a remarkable average of 49.3, redefining aggressive batting in red-ball cricket.
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal – 36 Sixes (2024)
Yashasvi Jaiswal set a new Indian record in 2024 by hitting 36 sixes in Test cricket within a single calendar year. Debuting in 2023, Jaiswal has quickly established himself as a sensational talent in international cricket.
The year 2024 was extraordinary for the young southpaw, who topped the charts in the five-match Test series against England with 712 runs across nine innings. In his nascent career, Jaiswal has already scored 1600 runs at an exceptional average exceeding 53, making him one of India’s brightest stars for the future.