Image Source : AP India’s Rishabh Pant hits the ball to the boundary on the ultimate day of the fourth cricket take a look at in opposition to Australia on the Gabba, Brisbane, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 19
His glove-work has usually attracted criticism however the Indian crew firmly backs Rishabh Pant since he’s a “match-winner” and an influence participant on international soil, India head coach Ravi Shastri eulogised the younger wicket-keeper after he formed aspect’s phenomenal win within the Brisbane Test.
Pant (89 not out off 138 balls) held his nerves and batted with maturity to guide India to a historic three-wicket within the series-deciding fourth Test.
“We play Pant abroad because he is a match-winner. When he doesn’t keep well, people criticize him but he can help you win matches like these. Had he stuck around for some time in Sydney (drawn third Test), he could have won us that game as well. He has been brilliant and that’s why we back him,” Shastri informed official broadcaster Sony on the finish of the match.
The coach was effusive in his reward for all the group which confirmed large character to bounce again after the humiliation in Adelaide, particularly when then aspect missed stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
“The boys have performed so well that I am lost for words. The character of this team is amazing especially after the 36 all out at Adelaide,” he mentioned.
Shastri mentioned regardless of not being with the aspect after the primary Test, Kohli’s enthusiasm nonetheless influenced all the group.
The common India skipper flew again to India after the series-opener for the delivery of his first youngster.
“This team wasn’t built overnight. Virat has been with us despite not being here. His intensity rubbed on to everyone else. (Ajinkya) Rahane might look calm but he is a strong man from inside. A tough character,” he mentioned.
Shastri additionally lauded the efforts of newcomers like Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur and T Natarajan for his or her contributions within the historic sequence win.
“Washington Sundar was a net bowler, Natarajan was a net bowler. But they have played so well. Sundar batted as if he had already played 20 Tests. Same with Shardul who has played a lot of first class cricket but did well at the top level,” he mentioned.
Shastri termed the sequence win as one of the crucial memorable ones, which the cricketing world will keep in mind for a very long time.
“This is an enormous sequence win. I do not assume the cricketing world will overlook this. Some of us had been in a lockdown for some six months whereas cricket had began in another a part of the world.
“To come here and play the way we have despite having our main bowlers injured, is phenomenal. The players know when they cross the boundary line, they are playing for India,” he mentioned.
