‘It was like a dream come true that I had won game myself’ – Rishabh Pant reflects on clinching iconic Gabba glory in 2021

Rishabh Pant and Mohammed Siraj. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

In a thrilling climax to the final Test of an extraordinary series against Australia at the Gabba in 2021, Rishabh Pant emerged as the hero of the hour. With only three overs remaining, Pant’s unbeaten 89 not only shattered a 32-year streak of Australia not losing at the ground but also secured a historic 2-1 series win for India with three wickets in hand. With the weight of a nation’s hopes resting on his shoulders, Pant delivered a scintillating performance that will be etched in cricketing history.

Two years later, Pant reflects on the unforgettable match in an exclusive watch-along session with Star Sports. Pant acknowledged the collective involvement of everyone watching the match, where every defensive move and every shot received cheers from the fans. He highlighted the unity of the team, particularly praising Ashwin’s outstanding performance.

Rishabh Pant said, “That’s just the thing, cricket is not just a game, it’s an emotion. Everyone who was watching the match got so involved, I mean it wasn’t madness; every defense and every shot were cheered for by the team. To play such a match is a different feeling altogether. That everyone has unified and come together to play, especially Ashwin’s performance.”

Pant confessed that he didn’t know how to react when they clinched the victory. Despite playing with a burning desire to win, he tried to temper his excitement. The significance of the game was not lost on him, considering his limited opportunities in shorter formats. Pant revealed that it was a dream come true to play a pivotal role in winning the series, especially after not featuring in the first match. His self-belief was a driving force, and he emphasized the importance of trusting oneself and one’s abilities, even when others may doubt.

He said, “I didn’t even know how to react when we won the game. I was playing the game with the desire to win, but I didn’t want to get excited too much. It was a fun game to play, but it was very important for me because I didn’t get to play in One Days or T20s; even Tests didn’t have a spot for me. So I thought to myself that this cannot happen; I have an expectation from myself that you have to be strong. And, I didn’t even play the first match, so it was like a dream come true that I had won the game myself; I had won the Series. So I was telling myself that I need to chase this feeling. This is where self-belief comes into play, that when no one is believing in you, you still trust yourself and your abilities.”