The Gabba Test win over Australia during the 202-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is often remembered as one of the greatest achievements in Indian cricket history.
India were not a full-strengthen side ahead of the Brisbane Test match, having lost their key players due to injury. The series was levelled at 1-1 and Australia, being the host and a terrific record at Gabba, were expected to take the coveted trophy.
However, the team led by Ajinkya Rahane was not ready to bow down so easily. India needed 328 runs in the fourth innings in 97 overs to register a memorable victory.
Riding on Rishabh Pant's unbeaten 89, Shubman Gill’s 91 and vital contributions from Cheteshwar Pujara (56) and Washington Sundar (22), the visitors chased down the target with three wickets in hand and clinched the four-match Test series 2-1.
In a fan event with Star Sports, Pant recalled his iconic knock to script India’s historic Test series win Down Under.
"I don’t know what to say about that. but I’m always trying to do my best. Sometimes, there are performances that you remember for a lifetime, and one of them for me is the Gabba Test," the wicketkeeper-batter said.
"At the time, I didn’t realise how significant it was. Rohit bhai (Rohit Sharma) was there, and he told me, 'You have no idea what you've done.' I was like, 'What have I done? My aim was just to win the match.' Rohit bhai said, ' Later, you’ll understand what you’ve done.' Now, whenever I hear people talking about that Gabba match, I understand what he meant and how important it was," he added.
Indian fans will expect more such heroic performances from Rishabh Pant in the upcoming tour of Australia. The two teams will square off in a five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy this time around, starting November 22 in Perth.
"I think about one series at a time. We play almost 365 days a year, so cricket is always on our minds. When you go to Australia, you have to work more on handling the bounce and short balls because the wickets are different there, and the atmosphere is different. They don't want you to win, which makes it more fun. There’s no greater feeling than going to Australia and beating them in their home," Pant stated.
"In general, Australia fights as a team. They don't give you anything easy, and they play aggressive cricket. I won’t throw the first punch, but if someone throws the first punch at me, I won’t hold back. That’s the kind of mentality you need to have when playing against them," he remarked.
