Pant is currently India’s first-choice glovesman in Tests and ODIs.
India were not a full-strengthen side ahead of the Brisbane Test match, having lost their key players due to injuries. The series was levelled at 1-1 and Australia, being the host and a terrific record at Gabba, were expected to take the trophy.
However, the team led by Ajinkya Rahane was not ready to bow down so easily. India chased down 328 in the final innings to clinch the four-match Test series 2-1.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was one of the stars in India’s win as he played an unbeaten knock of 89 to take the visitors over the finishing line.
It was the turning point in Pant’s career as the southpaw then went on to secure his place in the Indian side across three formats.
Recently, former India fielding coach R Sridhar opened up Pant’s incredible hard work, particularly on his wicketkeeping skills.
“He is come up leaps and bounds as a wicketkeeper. The way he has worked to improve his wicketkeeping... I was very fortunate to be a small part of his journey and to see him evolve as a wonderful wicketkeeper, especially in subcontinent conditions,” Sridhar told cricket.com.
"His keeping abilities had always remained in question, especially against wicketkeepers on turning tracks. Covid came, he worked hard at home, he came into the IPL and he didn't have a great IPL, he lost his place to KL Rahul as wicketkeeper. He would remember that as a defining moment of his career because that made him work harder. In adversity, he found out better of himself.
“He worked hard so hard on that Australian tour. It was mind-boggling. He sacrificed batting sessions to improve his wicketkeeping. I don't see any modern-day cricketer doing that. He did that. He went drill after drill to improve his footwork, glove-work, reaction skills, hand-eye coordination skills. I can write a book about it. I can go on and on. He worked really hard,” Sridhar revealed.
Notably, Rishabh Pant used to be benched at the expense of Wriddhiman Saha due to the latter' superior wicketkeeping skills before that Australia tour. While the 24-year-old is currently India’s first-choice glovesman in Tests and ODIs, he is facing stiff competition from Dinesh Karthik in the shortest format.