Rishabh Pant
India celebrate after breaching the Australia fortress, Gabba. (Photo: Twitter)

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has opened up about his heroics on India’s tour of Australia last year, on an episode of Dream 11 big story with Jemimah Rodrigues. Pant was not the first-choice keeper on the Australia tour and only played in the second Test of the series after injuries happened to other players.

Pant played a brilliant knock of 97 in the Sydney Test match, putting Australians on the backfoot and helping Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, and Ravichandran Ashwin then play out for an epic draw.

However, his best knock came on the fifth and final day of the final Test in Brisbane, as India chased 327 runs to win the Test and the series.

The left-hander took over the chase and along with Pujara, Washington Sundar, and others, took the Indian team home, scoring 89* as India won their second consecutive Test series down under.

Rishabh Pant. Photo- Getty
Rishabh Pant. Photo- Getty

There Was Nothing Else For Me To Focus On But My Game: Rishabh Pant

Pant shared how he was at the lowest point of his life, having been dropped from two formats and facing criticisms over his performance. After sitting out of the first practice match due to a bad neck, he suffered an unbearable bruised elbow while batting on day three of the series.

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He described how he had to prove himself over again and live up to the accolades of being the second-highest scorer for India when he previously played in Australia. He also revealed that he played in the series with some injuries as well.

Rishabh Pant. Photo- Sky Sports
Rishabh Pant. Photo- Sky Sports

“I wasn’t talking to anyone, not even family or friends. I needed my own space. I just wanted to give my 200% each and every day. I was just telling myself, there’s no choice but to do it. I had to make India win,” he said.

Further talking about battling crowd whispers and criticisms to hearing them cheer him on, Rishabh said, “There was nothing else for me to focus on but my game”.

Currently, Rishabh Pant is leading the Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2022, where they will next take on Lucknow Super Giants in Mumbai on April 7.

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