Rishabh Pant reacts to historic victory: The Indian wicket-keeper batsman sounded overawed by his own efforts at the Gabba.
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Irrespective of how India wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant’s international career pans out from hereon, he will unequivocally be remembered for his heroics which powered India to chase a 328-run target at Australia’s fortress in Brisbane.
Once again promoted to No. 5 in a tense Day 5 run-chase, Pant replicated his efforts from the last match in Sydney ensuring that India seal the chase and not just settle for a hard-fought draw.
Having scored 89* (138) with the help of nine fours and a six, Pant’s fourth Test half-century has been etched in history as it played a pivotal role in India winning their second consecutive Test series down under.
In the seven Test matches that Pant has played in Australia so far, he has scored 624 runs at an average of 62.40 and a strike rate of 72.13 which also includes a century and two half-centuries to contribute in becoming sensational numbers against a stellar bowling attack.
With the last one hour or so practically demanding the Indian batsmen to pace the chase like a 50-over contest, 23-year old Pant never gave any signs of hesitating while taking the attack to the opposition bowlers.
Rishabh Pant reacts to historic victory vs Australia
Speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony, Pant termed his innings of a lifetime in a “dream series” as “one of the biggest moments”.
“This is one of the biggest moments of my life now, and I’m happy that all the support staff and all my teammates supported me even when I wasn’t playing. It’s been a dream series,” Pant told Fox Cricket.
Australia’s last defeat at the Gabba was in 1988. Rishabh Pant was born 8 years after that. #AusvInd
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 19, 2021
Pant, who has in the past received numerous opportunities at the highest level despite not doing well across formats, also revealed the team management’s trust on him and why he decided to be disciplined with his shot selection.
“The team management always backs me and tells me, ‘You are a match-winner and you have to go win the match for the team’. I keep thinking every day that I want to win matches for India, and I did it today. It was a fifth-day pitch and the ball was turning a bit. I thought I have to be disciplined with my shot selection,” Pant added.
