Ravichandran Ashwin recently revealed details of an important tactical discussion during the Brisbane Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (GT) 2020-21. Ashwin said that the then head coach Ravi Shastri initially preferred to play for a draw, but Rohit Sharma backed Rishabh Pant to chase the target and win against Australia.
The Men in Blue achieved a famous three-wicket win over Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane on January 19, 2021. Chasing 328 on the final day, the visitors successfully completed the chase and ended Australia’s long unbeaten run at the venue, securing a memorable 2–1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series win.
Rohit Sharma wanted Rishabh Pant to go ahead to win – Ravichandran Ashwin
Speaking at the ESPNcricinfo Awards, Ravichandran Ashwin revealed various scenes from the Indian dressing room during the final day of the Brisbane Test. Ashwin said that Ravi Shastri preferred a draw, while Rohit Sharma believed that Rishabh Pant could give India a famous win.
“Ravi Shastri wanted a draw in BGT 2020-21, but Rohit Sharma wanted Rishabh Pant to go for the win,” Ashwin revealed.
Ravichandran Ashwin said that Ravi Shastri wanted a draw, but Rohit Sharma wanted Rishabh Pant to win in the 2020-21 BGT. pic.twitter.com/4GL2PGKnUP
– Harshit (@I_am_Harshit_17) May 31, 2026
Pant justified that belief by playing an unbeaten inning of 89 runs that won the match. He formed crucial partnerships with Cheteshwar Pujara and Washington Sundar as India chased down 328, including 162 in the final session, to achieve one of the biggest wins in Test cricket history.
Rishabh Pant used Adelaide snub as motivation during Australia tour
Rishabh Pant got extra motivation during the 2020-21 Australia tour. After missing the first Test in Adelaide, he was determined to make an impact and prove his worth at the highest level of international cricket.
Pant made a useful contribution in the second Test in Melbourne, scoring a quick 29 runs in the first innings. India recorded an emphatic eight-wicket win, leveling the series and giving the wicketkeeper-batsman valuable confidence for the remaining matches.
After this he played a brilliant innings in the Sydney Test and scored 97 runs in the second innings. Despite suffering a painful injury to his elbow early in the match, Pant took on the Australian bowlers and brought India closer to an unexpected victory before eventually being dismissed.
Rishabh Pant seals Gabba victory with series-defining performance
Many consider India’s win at the Gabba to be one of the greatest run chases in Test cricket history. The team chased 328 at a venue where Australia had not lost a Test match since 1988.
India entered the match without several first-choice players due to injuries. The team handed Test debut to Washington Sundar and T Natarajan. Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari had helped save the Sydney Test with a memorable rearguard effort in the first.
While chasing the target, India lost the wicket of Rohit Sharma early while Shubman Gill was out after scoring a brilliant 91 runs. Soon after, Ajinkya Rahane was out, allowing Pant to take the visiting team home with a match-winning innings in Brisbane.
Rishabh Pant finished the series as India’s highest run-scorer. He scored 274 runs in three Test matches at an average of 68.50 and played a key role in one of the most memorable series wins in Indian cricket history.
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