Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden has refreshed the memories of the 2021 Test win for India in Brisbane as the two nations will once again lock horns later in the year. India, who beat Australia for the first time in 40 years at the Gabba, saw Rishabh Pant play a match-winning knock as Ajinkya Rahane’s side won the series 2-1. The match that went down in the folklore of Indian cricketing history was recalled by Hayden during the CEAT Cricket Awards on Thursday.
Matthew Hayden recalls Rishabh Pant moment
“Guys like Rishabh Pant have got a muscle memory and the thirst for victory. He was such a key player last time he played there and the Australian public loved him as well, because of the nature of the way he played his game,” Hayden said while speaking at the CEAT Cricket Awards on Thursday.
Playing at the Gabba, India needed 328 runs to win in the final innings of the final Test match of the series. With the series 1-1 and Australia having not lost at the Gabba for four decades against any opponent, Rishabh Pant was the architect of the win. He scored an unbeaten 89 and helped India to back-to-back series wins Down Under. According to Hayden, Rishabh’s innings was one of the best, which even the home supporters adored.
India will take on Australia in the five-match Test series, which kickstarts on November 22, with Rohit Sharma and Co. keeping an eye on the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. Both India and Australia occupy the top two spots in the standings and will therefore look to cement their place in next year’s final, which takes place in England.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy (India tour of Australia) Schedule
1st Test: 22nd Nov to 26th Nov, Perth
2nd Test: 6th Dec to 10th Dec, Adelaide
3rd Test: 14th Dec to 18th Dec, Brisbane
4th Test: 26th Dec to 30th Dec, Melbourne
5th Test: 3rd Jan to 7th Jan, Sydney