[Watch] Indian fans sport Rishab Pant masks at the Gabba during BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
Rishabh Pant has become synonymous with the Gabba in Brisbane following his match-winning knock during the 2020-21 tour Down Under. The left-handed batter scored an unbeaten 89 to take the tourists over the line while chasing a 300-plus target. India won the game by three wickets to win the series 2-1. This was the first victory against the Aussies at the venue in 31 games after 32 years.
Pant emerged as the hero of the series, scoring 289 runs in five innings at an average of 68.5 during the tour. His stylish knock featuring modern cricketing shots left everyone in awe.
On Day 1 (Saturday, December 14) of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series 2024-25, fans opted to wear Pant's masks on his return to the venue as a tribute to the star player.
Watch the video below:
Rishabh Pant would be keen to score big again at the venue after failing to score a fifty in the first two Tests.
"It gives a positive attitude and confidence" - Rishabh Pant on playing at Gabba
Rishabh Pant has expressed his delight at returning to the Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test. The southpaw said he feels positive and confident at the venue as India aim to stage a fightback in the five-match series. He said (via Cricbuzz):
"It's amazing, when I entered (The Gabba) I got a positive feeling. It gives a positive attitude and confidence in a series where things are level, it makes you want to do well. Playing the situation has been a learning for me, bailing out the team from a hard situation."
"Sometimes it's hard, most of the time I need to keep telling myself to think positive. There are easy ways to do it but that's where I put my foot down and keep doing the same thing that has given me a lot of success," he added.
Pant further weighed in on his aggressive game, featuring reverse sweeps and ramp shots, which was put on display during the second innings in Adelaide. He said:
"Generally I don't practice such (unorthodox sweep and scoop) shots, it's a game-plan according to the bowlers because it's not always easy to just defend the ball."
As far as the match is concerned, Australia were 28 without loss after 13.2 overs after being asked to bat first when rain stopped play on Day 1.