This Is One Of My Biggest Days In Life: Rishabh Pant

Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant thanked the team-management for showing immense faith in him even when he was not playing after he played the innings of his life in Brisbane- an unbeaten 89 off 138 balls- to help India nail down the historic run-chase of 328 and in the process clinch the series and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with consecutive series triumphs in Australia.

Pant was fittingly adjudged the ‘Player of the Match’ for his knock for the ages, one that knocked the stuffing out of the Australians as they went down at their fortress in Gabba for the first time in 33 years.

It was a typical Pant inning, studded with ferocious cuts, trademark swivel pulls, slog sweeps, but what was refreshingly striking about his innings was how calm he looked in the heat of the battle.

After Ajinkya Rahane had been dismissed in the afternoon session, all eyes were on the Indian dressing room as to whether Pant would be promoted ahead of Mayank Agarwal to continue with the momentum that the likes of Shubman Gill had given them.

And, that is exactly what the team-management did. Pant joined Cheteshwar Pujara in the middle and just like his knock in the second innings at the SCG, the southpaw started off on a cautious note.

Pant ensured that he went into the Tea break unscathed. He got a lucky reprieve after the Tea break after Tim Paine struggled to affect a difficult stumping opportunity. It eventually proved to be a pivotal moment in the game as the southpaw let loose shortly, taking the attack to the opposition bowlers, and in particular Nathan Lyon.

India had a few nervy moments when Pat Cummins dismissed Pujara and Mayank Agarwal with the new ball in quick succession but Rishabh Pant’s calculated attack and a calm head ensured that the visitors eventually romped home with the swashbuckler fittingly hitting the winning runs.

Rishabh Pant's series ?

Runs: 2️⃣7️⃣4️⃣
Average: 6️⃣8️⃣.5️⃣0️⃣
Strike-rate: 6️⃣9️⃣.8️⃣9️⃣

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”This is one of my biggest days in life. The support the team has given me even when I was not playing has been incredible. It’s a dream come true. We’ve been practicing hard after the first Test. The team management always backs me and tells me you are match-winner and you have to go out there and win and I am happy I did it today. It was a fifth day pitch and the ball was turning,” Rishabh Pant said in the post-match presentation.

Also Read: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Congratulates Team India For Their Historic Test Series Win In Australia