• Home
  • Player Stories
  • When Rishabh Pant Forced Australia To End Gabba Ka Ghamand With Spectacular 89

When Rishabh Pant Forced Australia To End 'Gabba Ka Ghamand' With Spectacular 89*

Rishabh Pant after explosive knock vs Australia in 2021 (Source: @ICC/X.com)Rishabh Pant after explosive knock vs Australia in 2021 (Source: @ICC/X.com)

On January 19, 2021, Indian cricket fans around the world witnessed one of the most memorable moments in Test cricket history. The Indian cricket team, against all odds, completed a stunning series victory over Australia at their formidable 'Fortress Gabba,' a venue where Australia had not lost a Test match since 1988.

The hero of this historic victory was none other than the young and fearless wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant, whose unbeaten 89 off 138 balls became the stuff of legends. 

As Rishabh Pant celebrates his 27th birthday, it’s only fitting to recall this iconic knock that not only defined his career but also solidified India’s dominance in Test cricket on foreign soil.

Quick Recap To Rishabh Pant's Impressive Performance

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in 2020-21 was marked by adversity and resilience for the Indian team. After being bowled out for a humiliating 36 in the first Test at Adelaide, and with captain Virat Kohli departing for paternity leave, India seemed down and out. 

Yet, under the leadership of stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane, India mounted a remarkable comeback, heading into the final Test at Brisbane. On the final day of the fourth Test, India needed an improbable 328 runs to win, which seemed impossible against Australia's fearsome bowling attack. The game seemed poised for a draw, but Rishabh Pant had other plans.

Rishabh Pant's Memorable Knock In Gabba In 2021

Coming in at number 5, Pant displayed maturity and composure. Known for his aggressive and fearless approach to batting, Pant was not one to get bogged down by the situation or the pressure of the occasion. 

Pant walked in to bat with India reeling at 167/3 after the dismissal of Cheteshwar Pujara, who had held one end with his gritty knock 56 off 211 balls. 

Pant’s innings reached heights when India needed less than 50 runs with only a handful of overs left. By now, Pant had marshalled the lower order, batting alongside Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur. 

With just a few runs needed, Rishabh Pant pushed the delivery through mid-off for a boundary, and sealed a famous victory. His unbeaten 89* off 138 balls was an innings of sublime skill, temperament, and fearlessness. He had led India to a historic chase of 328 runs, and handed Australia their first Test defeat at the Gabba in over three decades.