India keeper-batter Rishabh Pant has revealed his thinking behind his high-risk batting style in a conversation with former India coach, Ravi Shastri. Rishabh Pant made cricketing history with his incredible performance during India's historic victory at the Gabba in January 2021.
Chasing a tough total of 328 runs on a deteriorating wicket against a quality Australian bowling attack, Pant's unbeaten 89 off 138 balls demonstrated his bold stroke play, courageous temperament, and remarkable ability to thrive under pressure.
Pant counter-attacked the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon turning the tide in India'sfavorr. This famous knock not only propelled India to a 2-1 series victory but also sealed Pant's reputation as a match-winner and one of modern Test cricket's best finishers.
With Pant returning to the renowned venue for the third Test against Australia, the left-hander recalls the memorable moment.
Notably, Rishabh Pant made his cricketing return this year after being out of the game for 18 months, as he had met with a horrific car accident in December 2022. He underwent rigorous rehab and training to get back in shape, making his return in 2024. He was part of India’s T20 World Cup 2024 winning squad as well.
"It's amazing when I entered (The Gabba) I got a positive feeling. It gives a positive attitude and confidence in a series where things are level, it makes you want to do well. Playing the situation has been a learning for me, bailing out the team from a hard situation. Sometimes it's hard, most of the time I need to keep telling myself to think positive," Pant told Ravi Shastri ahead of the Brisbane Test.
"There are easy ways to do it but that's where I put my foot down and keep doing the same thing that has given me a lot of success. Generally, I don't practice such (unorthodox sweep and scoop) shots, it's a game plan according to the bowlers because it's not always easy to just defend the ball. My mindset tells me it's safer, I always play percentage cricket," he said.
So far, Pant has played 40 Tests and scored 2780 runs with 6 centuries and 14 fifties to his name at an average of 42.76 and best score of 159*. He also has 134 catches and 15 stumpings as a wicketkeeper.
Pant also discussed the difficulties he faces when wearing the gloves behind the wicket following his sad injury, which kept him out of play for more than a year.
"(Wicket-keeping after his accident) Definitely it was one of the most challenging parts but I made sure with all the doctors that I could be fully fit, I always wanted to keep. The ball travels much more (in Australia), that is something to look for. It does a bit off the wicket but that is part and parcel of the game," the wicketkeeper-batter said.
India won the toss and chose to bowl first in Brisbane BGT 2024 Test.
(Times of India inputs)
