With a batting average of just a shade under 30, the pugnacious Mitchell Johnson plundered the Indian bowling to register his ninth Test fifty and give Australia a fighting chance in the second Test at the Gabba.
Promoted to No. 5, Pant played aggressively from the outset, and held his nerve to hit the winning runs as India reached 329 for 7. His knock included nine fours and a six as he stuck to his natural game in the high-pressure closing stages.
Australia opener David Warner hit his first century in 14 months to help New South Wales maintain their unbeaten record in the domestic Marsh One-Day Cup on Thursday.
A temporary ceasefire was called on Wednesday as Australia captain Steve Smith and his England counterpart Joe Root paused for photos under a blinding blue sky at the Brisbane stadium, but both captains have been looking to land a psychological blow on the eve of the first Test.
'I think there'll be a huge fallout from this (defeat). There's not too many times that you lose to the second or third (choice) side.'
'They've played really good, tough, hard Test match cricket day-in and day-out. India have won all the big moments in every Test match and Australia have fallen short. That's been the difference between the two teams.'
While Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood had played down the idea that sharing the same flight would be uncomfortable, his English counterpart Mark Wood was nervous with the prospect of flying with an Australian side which has just won its first-ever T20 World Cup just ahead of the Ashes.
A draw at the Gabba was enough for England to launch a successful Ashes tour of 2010-11, but James Anderson wants to go one better to silence the home crowd.
- 'It's always our goal to take 20 wickets' - 'It backfired at the Gabba with them trying to get stuck into us and Mitch fired back'
His childhood coach, Dinesh Lad, says he never really had to do anything special to mould the driven all-rounder except for "working on his mental strength".
'Pant was scared of... well, nothing actually'
Pant blazed his way to a breath-taking 91 on the third day of the ongoing first Test between India and England in Chennai.
Rahane mentioned how Kuldeep Yadav maintained his composure despite not getting any chances in the playing XI.
'He just has to keep performing, and mustn't let this go to his head.'
Shastri also lauded the efforts of newcomers like Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur and T Natarajan for their contributions in the historic series win.
'If you have a captain of India who is not interested in Test cricket that will impact the scene. Virat loves Test cricket, he champions Test cricket, and while that's happening India will play Test cricket.'
Vice-captain Warner remains a doubt after hurting his neck when going for a high catch during training at the Gabba on Tuesday, although Australia skipper Steve Smith backed him to be fit and ready for the start of the five-match series.
We asked you, dear readers to send in your congratulatory messages for the Indian team on their success Down Under. Here are your wishes for the team...
Siraj, who made his debut for India in Australia, played Test matches against England during the home series earlier this year.
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc along with spinner Nathan Lyon played all four Tests against India. While Cummins and Hazlewood starred with the ball, Starc and Lyon had to toil hard for wickets.
'I couldn't even hold my bat, but I still wanted to carry on batting despite the amount of pain because me staying there was important for the team.' 'It was tough, but if you want to win matches for your team, if you want to contribute, then you will have to overcome such challenges.'
In a team that mostly includes aggressive stroke-players, the 22-year-old Rahul's fortitude makes him just the right choice. The fact that he played in Australian conditions in recent times, having opened for India 'A', will be an added advantage.
A BCCI official in the know of developments said that the Indian cricket board stands with the boys as such behaviour is 'unacceptable'.
Statistical highlights from the day's play.
Skipper Ajinkya Rahane reveals India's game plan going into the final day of the third Test against Australia.
With the cricket world still mourning the tragic death of Phillip Hughes, the first Test between India and Australia next week was on Saturday put off to an unspecified date and might even be cancelled to pay homage to the young batsman.
Australia paceman Peter Siddle has wasted little time throwing a psychological dagger at India's stand-in skipper Virat Kohli, saying the batsman could expect a harsh reception from players and fans on tour Down Under.
The Australian bowlers took the honours on a sunny day at the Gabba.
Five Pakistan cricketers treated an Indian cab driver at a restaurant in Brisbane after the latter refused to accept any fare from them
England Test skipper Joe Root has said that he is absolutely thrilled with the addition of Ben Stokes in the Ashes squad as everyone knows what the all-rounder is capable of.
The back to back Test series wins in Australia must rank as Ravi Shastri's greatest achievement as India's coach.
Australia have included uncapped George Bailey in their 12-man squad for the first Ashes encounter against England next week in a gamble the 31-year-old can replicate his "extraordinary" limited overs form in the Test arena.
Thakur, Sundar talk us through their record-breaking partnership.
Indian opener Murali Vijay put Australia to the sword in their Brisbane fortress with a brilliant 144 to help drive the tourists to 311 for four at the close of play on the opening day of the second Test.
Natarajan also revealed how spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was by his side throughout, giving him advice and helping him play better during the Australian tour.
Langer said the fightback after the Adelaide debacle was nothing short of remarkable especially after injury-forced ouster of big players like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.
Opener David Warner put New Zealand's bowlers to the sword with a masterful 163 and Usman Khawaja scored his maiden Test century as Australia dominated the opening day of the first Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, on Thursday.
The Indian pace attack is getting much attention Down Under, with Varun Aaron being singled out for special praise by Australian cricketers. They feel the youngster's biggest assets - pace and bounce - have troubled the visitors on previous tours Down Under.
India have set an aggressive tone to the ongoing four-match Test series.
