Former India head coach Ravi Shastri recollected a fond memory from the historic Test match between India and Australia in Brisbane last year in January.
The Ajinkya Rahane-led Indian side bounced back from a humiliating defeat in Adelaide to clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1.
India entered the final Test at the Gabba with majority of their core players of the squad were benched with various injuries.
Rahane led an inexperienced set of players in the Brisbane Test against a formidable Australian side.
Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant led India to a glorious victory against Australia in Brisbane
India were left with a huge score of 328 to chase as they lost the opener, Rohit Sharma, on Day 4. But that didn’t stop the visitors from scripting an exceptional win against the Aussies.
Shubman Gill led the charge in the first session of Day 1 with Cheteshwar Pujara playing the role of a second fiddle from the other end. Gill missed his maiden Test hundred by nine runs as he was caught by Steve Smith in the slip region off Nathan Lyon’s bowling.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant carried the chase from where Gill had left. Pant became the architect of India’s chase as he smashed nine fours and a six in the course of his gritty knock of 89*.
Pant ensured he finished the game for India despite wickets kept tumbling from the other end.
I thought that was unbelievable: Ravi Shastri
Shastri said that he saw Pant and Gill talking during the tea break, which indicated that the players had the intent to win the game rather than settling for a draw.
“I thought that was unbelievable, especially on that last day. I always knew at tea time, when we were three down, that it’s pointless telling Rishabh anything. I can’t tell you what the conversation was. From upstairs I went to the loo. These 2 young boys were having a chat – Gill and Pant. Gill had batted magnificently to set it up with a brilliant 90,” Shastri said on Star Sports.
“I stopped and listened and walked straight past, and I said ‘keep going’. Did not say a word. I knew in my mind they were going for it. I endorse that kind of cricket. In trying to do that you might lose, but if you pull it off, that’s the ultimate heist. That’s what we did there,” he added.
Pant was awarded the player of the match for his unbelievable knock against Australia as India ended Australia’s 32-years winning streak at the Gabba.