Rishabh Pant's heroic innings at the Gabba will forever be remembered in Indian cricket history. With his fearless performance on the final day of the Brisbane Test in January 2021, Pant led India to a historic victory, shattering the Australian stronghold known as the 'Gabba fortress'. His unbeaten 89 runs played a crucial role in India's incredible chase of 328, defying Australia's strong bowling attack and securing a thrilling 3-wicket win. Pant's exceptional display of skill and determination will be etched in the hearts of cricket fans for years to come.
This victory not only secured a second consecutive Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Australian soil but also cemented Pant’s reputation as a match-winner under pressure.
That iconic series became a turning point for Pant, solidifying his role as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in the Test format. His confidence and determination became evident throughout the series, and even after a devastating car accident sidelined him for more than a year, Pant’s resolve remained unshaken.
His comeback was nothing short of spectacular, as he played an important role in India's T20 World Cup win. In Tests, he marked his comeback with a blistering century in the recent Test series against Bangladesh, which India won 2-0.
As Pant prepares for his third Test series in Australia, he reflected on his Gabba heroics at Star Sports’ ‘Star Nahi Far’ event. Speaking about that momentous knock, he shared how it took him time to fully understand its impact. “At the time, I didn’t grasp its significance,” Pant admitted.
“Rohit bhai (Sharma) told me, Tujhe nahi pata tune kya karra hai (You have no idea what you’ve achieved). I was puzzled because my only goal was to win the match, but now I understand what he meant.”
Pant key for IndiaPant concluded the 2021 tour as India’s highest run-scorer, amassing 274 runs in three matches at an impressive average of 68.50, with two half-centuries. However, his performance at the Gabba transcended mere numbers. Pant continues to remain India's first-choice keeper-batter, and during the series against Bangladesh, he was promoted to no.5 in the batting order.
Pant will be next seen in action during the three-match Test series against New Zealand at home. The first Test began October 16 but the first day of the Test was washed out in Bengaluru.
Following the series, the Indian Test team will prepare for another challenging tour of Australia, and Pant will be a vital cog in the batting lineup for the five-match Test series Down Under.
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