Rishabh Pant ended up as the highest run-getter for India in the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy test series, as his 89* helped India beat Australia in the 4th and final Test match at the Gabba, Brisbane.
In a scintillating 5th day’s play, Shubman Gill (91) and Cheteshwar Pujara (55) laid down a good platform for Pant to build on and with help of a cameo from Washington Sundar (22), took India to a famous and historic win, beating Australia at their fortress where they had not lost a Test since 1988.
India coach Ravi Shastri was elated at the performance of Pant, which earned him the Player of the Match award as well.
"We play Pant abroad because he is a match-winner. When he doesn't keep well, people criticize him but he can help you win matches like these. Had he stuck around for some time in Sydney (drawn third Test), he could have won us that game as well. He has been brilliant and that's why we back him," Shastri told official broadcaster Sony at the end of the match.
"The boys have performed so well that I am lost for words. The character of this team is amazing especially after the 36 all out at Adelaide," he said.
Shastri didn’t forget to credit Virat Kohli for building the team which performed a miracle series win in Australia. The regular India skipper flew back to India after the series-opener for the birth of his first child.
"This team wasn't built overnight. Virat has been with us despite not being here. His intensity rubbed on to everyone else. (Ajinkya) Rahane might look calm but he is a strong man from the inside. A tough character," he said.
Newcomers Washington Sundar and T Natarajan, along with Shardul Thakur were also praised by the Indian head coach for their contributions to the Gabba Test win. Thakur (67) and Sundar (62) had added 123 runs for the 7th wicket in India’s 1st innings in Brisbane to keep Australia’s lead to just 33 runs.
"Washington Sundar was a net bowler, Natarajan was a net bowler. But they have played so well. Sundar batted as if he had already played 20 Tests. Same with Shardul who has played a lot of first-class cricket but did well at the top level," he said.
Shastri termed the series win as one of the most memorable ones, which the cricketing world will remember for a long time.
"This is a big series win. I don't think the cricketing world will forget this. Some of us were in a lockdown for some six months whereas cricket had started in some other part of the world. To come here and play the way we have despite having our main bowlers injured, is phenomenal. The players know when they cross the boundary line, they are playing for India," he said.
(PTI inputs)
