It was a 23-year-old who scripted history In Australia after 31 years after Rishabh Pant played an unbeaten knock of 89 runs on Day 5 to help India clinch the series 2 – 1 against Australia. Leading into Day 5 India needed 324 runs with 10 wickets in hand. Australia were unbeaten at Brisbane since 1988 which why a win would go down to create history.
India had Rohit Sharma and Shubhman Gill at the crease during the start of the day’s play on Day 5. India had to play for either of the two results, whether they go for the win or play out the overs to draw the Test at the Gabba. But as soon as the play started on Day 5, with the kind of intent Shubhman Gill was seen going about his innings, it was certain that India will be going for the win. The wickets of Pujara and Rahane might have burden the batsman at the other end but that really wasn’t the case with Rishabh Pant.
The wicket keeper batsman who wasn’t the first choice keeper in the first went down to play his best knock in his bit sized Test career for India. Not one moment it felt as if Rishabh Pant is looking out for the draw, the intent was clear in Pant’s mind and that was go for the win.
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‘One of my biggest days in life’ – Rishabh Pant
He stitched up two 50+ stands, first with Cheteshwar Pujara and then Washington Sundar which helped the Team’s cause as India neared the target of 328. In the end he did finish off things in style as he drove Josh Hazlewood towards the long on boundary when just 3 runs were needed to help India clinch the series in Australia to register one of the most greatest series wins in the history of the sport.
Rishabh Pant was adjudged the man of the match for his gutsy knock of 89 runs on Day 5, during the presentation ceremony, Pant described the victory as one of his biggest days in life. He applauded the support he got from the fans and Team management despite not being a part of the initial playing XI for the first Test.
“This 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.” said Rishabh Pant after being adjudged the man of the match at Brisbane.
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