“Rohit Sharma wanted Rishabh Pant to go for the win”: Ravichandran Ashwin makes Gabba Test Revelation

The Tactical Battle Behind the Gabba Miracle

In the illustrious history of Indian cricket, the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy stands as a monument of resilience, courage, and tactical audacity. While fans around the world vividly remember the iconic moment when Rishabh Pant hit the winning runs at the Gabba, the strategic discussions that occurred behind closed doors are only now coming to light. During a recent appearance at the ESPNcricinfo Awards, veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shed light on a fascinating dressing room debate on the final day of the Brisbane Test. According to Ashwin, “Rohit Sharma wanted Rishabh Pant to go for the win”: Ravichandran Ashwin makes this massive revelation, highlighting the contrasting mindsets of the team management and senior players during one of Test cricket’s tensest moments.

Tactical Divide: Safety of a Draw vs. Glory of a Win

On January 19, 2021, India was set a daunting target of 328 runs on the final day of the Brisbane Test. The Gabba was a formidable fortress where Australia had remained undefeated for 32 years. With the series locked at 1-1, India had already defied all expectations after being bowled out for a mere 36 in the first Test in Adelaide. As the final day unfolded, the Indian dressing room was split on the approach. Former head coach Ravi Shastri was keen on playing for a draw to secure and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, Rohit Sharma, who was a crucial voice in the leadership group, had other ideas. Ashwin explained that Rohit was adamant about pushing for a win, believing that Rishabh Pant possessed the unique capability to dismantle the Australian bowling attack and pull off a historic chase.

Rishabh Pant’s Journey of Redemption

Rishabh Pant’s journey during that tour was nothing short of cinematic. Having been benched for the opening Test in Adelaide in favor of Wriddhiman Saha, Pant was highly motivated to prove his worth at the international level. He returned to the playing XI in the second Test at Melbourne, contributing a quickfire 29 that helped stabilize India’s innings and set up an emphatic eight-wicket victory. His real breakthrough on the tour, however, came during the third Test in Sydney. Battling a severe elbow injury, Pant played a breathtaking knock of 97 in the second innings. Although he narrowly missed out on a century, his aggressive approach put Australia on the defensive and laid the groundwork for Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari to heroically block out the remaining overs for a draw. This gave Pant the ultimate confidence heading into the final Test.

Anatomy of a Historic Chase at the Gabba

When India arrived in Brisbane, they were severely depleted. Almost all of their primary bowlers were sidelined with injuries, forcing the management to field a highly inexperienced bowling lineup featuring debutants T Natarajan and Washington Sundar. Despite these setbacks, the team stayed competitive. On the final day, chasing 328, India lost Rohit Sharma early. However, a brilliant 91 from young opener Shubman Gill and a characteristically gritty half-century from Cheteshwar Pujara kept India in the hunt. When Pujara fell, the responsibility of guiding India home fell squarely on Pant’s shoulders. Supported by a crucial cameo from Washington Sundar, Pant played a masterclass in controlled aggression, scoring an unbeaten 89 to seal a historic three-wicket win. His crucial partnerships with Pujara and Sundar helped India chase down 162 runs in the final session alone.

The Legacy of a Fearless Team

Pant finished the series as India’s highest run-scorer, accumulating 274 runs in three matches at an impressive average of 68.50. This victory not only shattered Australia’s long-standing unbeaten streak at the Gabba but also cemented India’s reputation as a fearless, never-say-die team. Ashwin’s recent revelation about Rohit Sharma’s tactical backing of Pant adds another layer of appreciation for how this historic triumph was engineered. It was a perfect blend of leadership trust and raw, unbridled talent. The decision to go for the win rather than settle for a safe draw redefined the identity of modern Indian Test cricket, proving that taking calculated risks can lead to unparalleled glory on the world stage.