One scored 56 runs off 211 balls, the other made 89 off 138 balls. One struck his first boundary after 102 balls, the other had 7 boundaries in his first 100 balls.

But to defeat Australia at the fortress Gabba with a historic 329 run chase, India needed both. They needed ‘the tortoise’ Cheteshwar Pujara and ‘the hare’ Rishabh Pant. Pujara’s solid innings ensured that India did not suffer a batting collapse in the fourth innings at Brisbane. Pujara’s knock also meant that India had the wickets in hand in the final hour allowing Pant to go hammer and tongs at the Australian bowlers.

Pujara first played the silent role in his partnership with Shubman Gill, who scored 91. He then went into second gear and stitched crucial partnerships with skipper Ajinkya Rahane (24) and Rishabh Pant.

Why is this win historic?

The last time Australia lost a Test at Brisbane was in 1988, 32 years ago. The highest successfully chased fourth-innings total at Brisbane before this was 236. India scored nearly a 100 runs more than that.

Was Pujara too slow?

Cheteshwar Pujara endured many a painful blows on his body in his dogged 211-run knock. Not only did he stand there despite what the famed Australian bowlng attack throw at him, he also dished out quick runs after tea. His knock also meant that the Australian pacers had run out of steam by the time the final gong of the battle was sounded.

Washington Sundar, who scored 22 runs off 29 balls, made full use of the new ball and scored 10+ runs off Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood at regular intervals.

Rishabh Pant: The minefield of talent

While Pujara and Gill had set up the premise, it was important for someone to come in and deliver the killer blow. Rishabh Pant channelled his inner ‘Mad Max’ to scare the daylights out of the Australians with his breathtaking strokeplay.

Pant pulled off some breathtaking cover drives off Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in the final session though he benefitted from missed stumping chance.

The highlights package of Pant’s battle with Nathan Lyon can be enjoyed repeatedly in times to come as he demolished the 100-Test man in company of Pujara and Sundar.

The breach of Fortress Gabba would be remembered for years to come. And they will sing songs about both Pujara and Pant.