Ashwin reveals how Rishabh Pant’s knock changed mindset of the dressing room during Gabba Test

Team India’s memorable triumph at the ‘Gabba’ will go down as one of the greatest ever wins in the history books. The Indian side, in the absence of Virat Kohli and their frontline bowlers, breached the impregnable Gabba fortress in thrilling style. But according to Ravi Ashwin, things could’ve been really different as the then head coach Ravi Shastri wanted a draw as he knew the team was capable of playing out the final day.

India went into the 4th and final Test with the series level at 1-1, and after four days of drama, India required 329 runs to win the Test and lift the Border- Gavaskar Trophy. The chase was off to a wobbly with the early dismissal of Rohit Sharma. But Shubman Gill (91) was at his fluent best and was supported well by a stubborn Cheteshwar Pujara (56). After the dismissal of the latter, there was a bit of confusion in the dressing room. Ashwin has revealed that Ravi Shastri wanted to play it safe with a draw on his mind. However, a certain Rishabh Pant had different plans that changed the mindset of the dressing room.

“In this Test (fourth Test at Gabba), Ravi Bhai wanted a draw. Because we could’ve drawn the match. But everyone had a different plan! I asked Jinx, “are we going for a win?” and he said, “He (Rishabh Pant) is playing his own game. We will see how it goes.” The moment Washi went in and scored brisk 20 odd runs, our plan changed. Washi made a very important contribution as well,” Ashwin revealed in a conversation with Sports Yaari.

It’s very difficult to understand what’s going on in Pant’s mind: Ashwin

The off-spinner, who scalped 12 wickets in three Tests in that series spoke his mind on the abilities of the explosive Rishabh Pant, who was the hero of the Gabba Test with an unbeaten 89 runs on the final day. “It’s very difficult to understand what’s going on in his (Pant’s) mind. He can do anything. He’s so incredibly blessed with ability that he thinks he can hit a six every ball. Sometimes, it’s difficult to keep him calm. In Sydney, Puji tried to keep him calm but he eventually missed the century,” the veteran spinner added.