After playing the main role in India's breathtaking and successful run chase in the series-deciding fourth Test against Australia, Rishabh Pant, on Tuesday, called the historic win as the 'biggest moment' of his life.
Pant took the intimidating Australian attack on a challenging fifth-day track by the scruff of its neck to conjure up an unbeaten 89-run knock that powered India to a 2-1 Test series victory.
The three-wicket win at the Gabba on the final day meant that India have won unprecedented back-to-back Test series victories Down Under.
"This is one of the biggest moments of my life now, and I'm happy that all the support staff and all my team-mates supported me even when I wasn't playing," Pant said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
India did not play Pant in either the preceding ODI or the T20 series. But the young wicketkeeper-batsman made an impression in the Test series, playing a combative 97-run knock in the second innings in Sydney and again, in Brisbane, on Tuesday.
"It's been a dream series. The team management always backs me and tells me 'You are a match-winner and you have to go win the match for the team.' I keep thinking every day that I want to win matches for India, and I did it today," Pant said.
Asked about the pitch that had cracks all over, Pant said, "It was a fifth-day pitch and the ball was turning a bit. I thought I have to be disciplined with my shot selection."
India Skipper Ajinkya Rahane initially struggled to find words but gathered himself to praise his courageous team-mates.
"It means a lot to us. I don't know how to describe this, but our boys showed a lot of character and determination after the Adelaide Test," Rahane, who led India in the absence of Virat Kohli, said.
"I'm really proud of each individual."
It was Rahane who pushed the acceleration button with his brisk 24-run knock and he said that was indeed the plan.
"The conversation between Pujara and me was that he would bat normal, and I would take it on. Credit to Pujara, the way he handled the pressure was magnificent. Rishabh and Washington (Sundar) were very good at the end."
The addition of Washington Sundar, who was drafted in because of a spate of injuries to senior players, brought balance to the side, Rahane added.
"Taking 20 wickets was the key, so we opted for five bowlers. Sundar brought the balance in place of (Ravindra) Jadeja. The intention was clear to play five bowlers."
"(Mohammed) Siraj played two Tests, (Navdeep) Saini just one, so it was inexperienced but the character shown by the bowlers and everyone else was incredible."
