Biggest moment of life for Pant

Rishabh Pant took the intimidating Australian attack on a challenging fifth day track by the scruff of its neck to conjure up an unbeaten 89-run knock that powered India to a 2-1 Test series victory.

Brisbane, Jan. 19: After playing a key role in India’s breathtaking and successful run chase in the seriesdeciding fourth Test against Australia, Rishabh Pant on Tuesday called the historic win as the “biggest moment” of his life.

“This is one of the biggest moments of my life now, and I’m happy that all the support staff and all my teammates supported me even when I wasn’t playing,” Pant said at the postmatch presentation ceremony.

India did not play Pant in either the preceding ODI or the T20 series. But the young wicketkeeper-batsman made an impression in the Test series, playing a combative 97-run knock in the second innings in Sydney and again here on Tuesday.

“It’s been a dream series. The team management always backs me and tells me, you are a match-winner and you have to go win the match for the team. I keep thinking every day that I want to win matches for India, and I did it today,” Pant said.

Asked about the pitch that had cracks all over, Pant said, “It was a fifth-day pitch and the ball was turning a bit. I thought I have to be disciplined with my shot selection.”

India skipper Ajinkya Rahane initially struggled to find words but gathered himself to praise his courageous teammates.

“It means a lot to us. I don’t know how to describe this, but our boys showed a lot of character and determination after the Adelaide Test,” Rahane, who led India in the absence of Virat Kohli, said.

“I’m really proud of individual.”

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