NEW DELHI: The Gabba had long stood as Australia's fortress. For 32 years, no visiting side had managed to breach it. But in January 2021, with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy locked at 1-1, destiny had other plans for the unbeaten stronghold.
Chasing 328 on the final day, India found themselves in a tense situation when Rishabh Pant walked in at No. 5. With the match delicately poised, the wicketkeeper-batter produced a stunning unbeaten 89, guiding India to a famous three-wicket win that sealed a 2-1 series triumph and ensured the Border-Gavaskar Trophy stayed with them.
However, then-Australian coach Justin Langer seemed to downplay Pant's match-winning knock, noting that batting conditions at the Gabba are generally easier in January than in November.
Langer made the remark while speaking to Jos Buttler and Stuart Broad in the lead-up to the Ashes in Australia later this year.
"Brisbane was always a cauldron for us and has been for years," Langer said on "For the Love of Cricket" podcast.
"We lost to India a couple of Test series ago. Rishabh Pant played an incredible innings at the Gabba. But it was also the fourth Test during Covid and it was the flattest wicket. That time of year in January was different from playing in November. We have lost that advantage," he said.
Langer hailed Pant as "fearless" for his heroics in the fourth Test, adding that it "reminded me of Ben Stokes' innings at Headingley during the 2019 Ashes."
"It was an amazing effort. (Rishabh) Pant's innings somewhat reminded me of Ben Stokes’ innings in Headingley actually. He came in, he was almost fearless and he will be lauded because of it. It was an unbelievable innings," Langer had said after the match.
Langer is currently the coach of the IPL team Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), whose captain is Rishabh Pant.
