October 16, 2024: Swashbuckling Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant recently opened up about his iconic, series-winning performance during the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 at The Gabba, revealing that he initially did not grasp the significance of his innings.
Pant played a pivotal role in that match, scoring an unbeaten 89 runs, which helped India chase down a challenging target of 328 runs on the final day, marking Australia’s first loss at Brisbane in 32 years.
In a discussion on Star Sports’ “Star Nahi Far” event, Pant recounted Rohit Sharma’s reaction after the match. Rohit told him, “You have no idea what you have done,” to which Pant responded, “What have I done? My aim was just to win the match.” Reflecting on this exchange, Pant shared, “Now, whenever I hear people talking about that Gabba match, I understand what he meant and how important it was.”
As he prepares for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series starting November 22 in Australia, Pant expressed excitement about playing in a country where he has historically thrived. He emphasized the need for adaptability, particularly in handling the unique bounce and pace of Australian wickets, which differ significantly from those in India.
Pant said, “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.”
Discussing the competitive nature of Australian cricket, he noted that the home team plays aggressive cricket and does not make it easy for opponents. “There’s no greater feeling than going to Australia and beating them in their home,” Pant stated. He acknowledged that while he won’t initiate conflict, he wouldn’t shy away from responding if provoked, emphasizing the importance of having a strong mentality against the aggressive Australian side.
Pant has an impressive record in Australia, having scored 624 runs in seven matches at an average of over 62, which includes a century and two half-centuries, with his highest score being 159 not out.
The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy will feature a five-match series, starting with the first Test in Perth on November 22. Following that, the second Test will take place in Adelaide from December 6 to 10 in the day-night format, and the series will continue with matches at The Gabba and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, culminating at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7. This series promises to be an exciting contest as both teams vie for supremacy in a highly competitive environment.
