Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 89* at the Gabba in 2021 is a story of courage, resilience, and the unflinching spirit of Indian cricket. It was January 19, 2021, the final day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher.
India were in a series decider against Australia at the Gabba, a fortress for the Aussies where they hadn’t lost a Test in 32 years.Adding to the challenge, India were ravaged by injuries and had fielded a team without several of their key players, including captain Virat Kohli.
The situation seemed daunting. India needed to chase down a massive target of 328 on a pitch showing signs of wear and tear. Australia’s bowling attack – featuring Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc – was among the best in the world. The odds were stacked against India, and for many, even a draw would have been a moral victory.
But Pant, a 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman known for his audacious stroke play, had other plans. Having already shown glimpses of his potential in Sydney a few days earlier, where his attacking 97 helped India salvage a memorable draw, Pant walked into the middle with a sense of purpose.
The chase didn’t start smoothly for India, with key wickets falling at regular intervals. At one point, India looked vulnerable at 167 for 3. However, Pant’s arrival at the crease alongside Cheteshwar Pujara signaled a turning point. While Pujara blunted the Australian attack with his dogged resistance, Pant took the more aggressive route, counter-attacking the bowlers in his characteristic style.
As the final session approached, the tension was palpable. Every run was fiercely contested, every ball felt like a battle. Pant, however, was unfazed by the pressure. He played with remarkable composure, mixing caution with aggression. He found the gaps, took calculated risks, and kept India’s hopes alive. The Australian bowlers, who had dominated throughout the series, were suddenly on the back foot.
With the target within sight and the game inching towards its climax, Pant unleashed a flurry of boundaries, taking India closer to an improbable victory. The defining moment came when Pant drove Josh Hazlewood through long-off for a boundary, sealing a historic win for India. His unbeaten 89* was not just a match-winning knock; it was the embodiment of India’s fighting spirit throughout the series.
As Pant roared in celebration, the entire cricketing world acknowledged the significance of his innings. India had pulled off a miraculous victory at the Gabba, winning the series 2-1 and retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The unbeaten 89* became the stuff of legend, a story that would be told for generations to come – a symbol of India’s resilience and Pant’s fearless brand of cricket.
