Ravi Shastri reveals how he motivated Rishabh Pant ahead of the Gabba Test while going for a LOO

Former India coach Ravi Shastri might have not bagged an ICC trophy for Team India, however, the team tasted many achievements under his guidance. One such accomplishment was the Australia tour in 2021 when India won the Test series 2-1 to shock the Aussies. 

Rishabh Pant was a crucial character for Team India in that series. With his unbeaten half-century, he led the team to victory in the 4th Test and the series. Pant became an overnight hero after his memorable knock. 

Notably, India had faced a miserable defeat in the opening game, where they were bowled out for just 36 in the 4th innings. Trailing by 1-0, India made a fabulous comeback to crush the Australian in the end. 

Ravi Shastri reveals his chat with Rishabh Pant during Australia tour 

During a chat with Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube show ‘Kutti Stories with Ash’, Ravi Shastri revealed an incident of how he motivated Rishabh Pant during the Australia tour. Pant lost his wicket for 97 in the 3rd Test in Sydney, which ended in a draw. 

“If I tell him don’t play [that particular shot] it, that’s against his nature. He might play it even more. I told him I getting bored, you are getting out in the same fashion.”

“It was to Nathan Lyon in Sydney when he batted brilliantly and got out at 97. He slogged one up there, came back, and was sitting. And then the second new ball was taken and Pujji [Cheteshwar Pujara] hit seven boundaries", Ravi Shastri said. 

“So, when I went into the loo, he was still sitting in the dressing room all alone with his pads on. I looked at him and said, Pujji is scoring all your runs. Seven he’s hit. Yes. It’s Pujji, he’s hit seven boundaries in half an hour,” he said. 

“Then I said, ‘You are boring me yaar, hit reverse. You are getting out like this only no, aur Khatarnak fashion mein out hoja [get out more bizarrely]. And he said, ‘Ye hui naa baat’, Shastri concluded. 

Rishabh Pant played two crucial knocks for India  

During India's tour of Australia 2020-21, India lost the opening Test by 8 wickets. Later, they bounced back in the 2nd Test to win by 8 wickets. The 3rd Test ended in a draw. In the 4th Test, India chased down a mammoth 328 to clinch a historic victory by 3 wickets. 

Rishabh Pant emerged as the star of the series. He slammed 274 runs in 5 innings at 68+ average to help India crush Australia. He slammed two crucial knocks of 97 and 89 in the final two games. 

Notably, India was short of almost all of their key members who faced injuries. A young squad under Ajinkya Rahane clashed with Australia at The Gabba in the 4th Test. They won the match to eventually win the series 2-1.