Three weeks after the epochal triumph in the Brisbane Test earlier this year, England were running India ragged in the Chennai Test. By the last session of the fourth day, England had batted India out of the Test. yet, the declaration didn't come until they were bowled out. Losing the Test was a reality check of sorts for the high-flying Indian team. Rishabh Pant, however, drew lots of confidence from the game. In a casual chat before leaving for England team couldn't declare because they were wary of him. In the two preceding Tests in Australia, Pant and Shubman Gill had set the tone for two improbable chases. The one in Sydney ended in a draw while Pant made sure he finished the job in Brisbane. These two boys in their early 20s have managed to create waves with their exploits in Test cricket. Much of the talk leading to the World Test Championship final against New Zealand has revolved around how the likes of Virat Kholi, Rohit Sharma, need to rise to the occasion and win an ICC trophy for India for the first time in a decade. But it's also true that Pant and Gill have played crucial roles in getting India into the final. "The youngsters are ready to raise their hands. They are confident and they have already done well in unfamiliar conditions in Australia, "Pujara had remarked on Tuesday. Rahane, who led the side in Australia in absence of Kohli after the first Test, is obviously happy with the spell cast by the youngsters. A sheepish smile broke out when he was asked about the kind of conversations the team management was having with the youngsters ahead of the big game. "Personally, I am not telling them anything. They known their gameplan. It's about giving them freedom, backing them, believing in their abilities.
