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NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant etched his name in cricketing folklore with his remarkable innings during India’s historic triumph at the Gabba in January 2021. Chasing a daunting target of 328 runs on a deteriorating pitch against a formidable Australian bowling attack, Pant’s unbeaten 89 off 138 balls showcased his audacious stroke play, fearless temperament, and uncanny ability to thrive under pressure.
Pant, batting at number five, arrived with the game delicately poised. His counter-attacking approach against the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon turned the tide in India’s favour.
From reverse-sweeping Lyon to punching Cummins through the off-side, Pant’s innings was a masterclass in calculated aggression.
This iconic knock not only led India to a 2-1 series win but also cemented Pant’s reputation as a match-winner and one of the finest finishers in modern Test cricket.
With Pant once again arriving at the iconic venue for the third Test against Australia, the left-hander recalled that historic moment.
Pant was involved in a car accident in December 2022, which forced the Indian star to undergo a lengthy recovery phase. He returned to the field during the IPL 2024 and kept wickets effectively during the tournament. Pant made a great return with the bat in Tests and has also been secure with the gloves.
Speaking to Ravi Shastri ahead of the Brisbane Test, Pant said that he talked to his doctors and made sure that he could be fully fit as he always wanted to keep in Tests for India.
“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 said.
“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.
“(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.
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