Pant and Pujara complete remarkable India transformation
RISHABH PANT labelled his series-winning innings “one of the biggest moments” of his life after India inflicted a first defeat on Australia at the Gabba since 1988.
The 23-year-old hit an unbeaten 89 on day five to complete a remarkable recovery which saw the tourists win the four-match Test series
2-1 despite losing the opener after being dismissed for 36 in Adelaide.
Set a record victory target of 328 to win in Brisbane, India reached it with three wickets in hand and only 18 balls left to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in a dramatic finale to a pulsating series.
“This is one of the biggest moments of my life now,” said Pant. “It’s been a dream series. The team management always back me and tells me ‘you are a match-winner’ and I keep thinking every day that I want to win matches for India and I did it today.”
Without captain Virat Kohli and a whole host of senior players, the tourists needed 324 more runs at the start of play after dismissing Tim Paine’s side for 294 on day four.
Player-of-the-series Pat Cummins snared Rohit Sharma cheaply on his way to 4-55, but it brought Yorkshire signing Cheteshwar Pujara to the crease and he was not prepared to give his wicket away without a fight.
Together with opener Shubman Gill, the pair put on 114 for the second wicket before Gill fell nine short of a century.
Nathan Lyon ended his enterprising innings which included eight fours and two sixes and, when stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane was caught behind for 24, the Indians could have been forgiven for shutting up shop.
Pant had other ideas and, after Cummins pinned Pujara in front for 56 to bring his 211-ball vigil to its conclusion, the wicketkeeper continued to play with bravery.
Debutant Washington Sundar added a breezy 22 and helped take 11 off Cummins to kickstart India into action with time running out.
It made the equation 39 off 42 and Pant moved into Twenty20 mode when he hit back-to-back fours off Lyon.
While Washington and Shardul Thakur departed in a dramatic finale, Pant was able to drive Josh Hazlewood to the boundary to seal a three-wicket triumph for India and end Australia’s long unbeaten run at the Gabba.
Rahane captained the side – after Kohli returned home following the first Test to be at the birth of his child – and praised the squad.
He added: “It really means a lot to us. I don’t know how to describe this victory. I’m just proud of all the boys, each and every individual.
“We just wanted to give our best, not to think about the result. All credit to Pujara because the way he handled the pressure was magnificent, and Rishabh was brilliant in the end.”