Rishabh Pant, Indian wicket-keeper said that although it felt good to be compared to legendary former cricketer keeper MS Dhoni, he does not want people to make comparisons as he wants to make his own name in the sport after he powered India to victory over Australia in the fourth Test as India won series 2-1.
On Tuesday, Australia’s fortress — The Gabba — was finally breached. It took 32 years and two months, but the unthinkable was achieved as an injury-ravaged young Indian team beat full-strength Australia by three wickets against all odds to take the series 2-1.
Rishabh Pant: The whole Team Is Very Happy To Retain The Trophy
Rishabh Pant played an unbeaten inning of 89 runs in the fourth innings of the 4th Test as India chased down the total of 328. His knock included nine fours and a six as he stuck to his natural game in the high-pressure closing stages. Rishabh Pant was highest run-getter for India in this Test series with 274 runs in 3 Tests averaging 68.5. He was omitted from white ball limited-overs squad but made it count in Tests with two fifties in consecutive Tests at Sydney and Brisbane. His 97 at Sydney ensured a draw while unbeaten 89 at Brisbane saw India winning the series.
This is the highest chase recorded at the Gabba, Brisbane. As India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, BCCI also announced a cash bonus of Rs 5 crore.
“I am so happy that we retained the trophy. The whole team is very happy,” Pant told reporters here after returning from the Australia tour.
The last time a visiting team came out triumphant from the Brisbane Cricket Ground was back in November 1988 when the mighty West Indian outfit under the leadership of Viv Richards thrashed Allan Border’s team by 9 wickets.
Rishabh Pant: Feels Good To Be Compared To MS Dhoni But Don’t Want People To Make Comparisons
India were without some star players, including Virat Kohli, who left on paternity leave after the first Test, while Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, KL Rahul, Umesh Yadav, Hanuma Vihari, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were all injured during different stages of the tour.
India fielded a relatively inexperienced team especially in bowling department in 4th Test as pacer Mohammed Siraj was the most experienced playing 3 Tests in comparison to Australia’s Nathan Lyon who played 100 Tests. All Australia’s frontline bowlers played more than 30 Tests.
He further said: “It feels good when you are compared to someone like MS Dhoni but I do not want people to make comparisons. I want to make my own name in the Indian cricket team. That is the only thing I am focused on. Also, it is not good that you compare a legend with a youngster.”
In the first Test against Australia, India was bundled out for 36 and many experts predicted the visiting team would face a 4-0 drubbing. But proving every critic wrong, the Ajinkya Rahane-led side registered famous victories in Melbourne and Brisbane. The side also recorded an epic draw in 3rd Test at Sydney and every step, the line-up overcame adversity.