NEW DELHI: In one of the greatest turnarounds in Test cricket history, India overcame adversity to clinch a memorable 2-1 series win against Australia during the 2020-21 tour.
After the humiliation of being bowled out for their lowest-ever total of 36 in Adelaide, many wrote the team off, especially with captain Virat Kohli departing after the first Test for the birth of his first child. However, under the leadership of stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane , India mounted a remarkable comeback, securing a thumping eight-wicket victory in Melbourne before sealing the series with a thrilling three-wicket win in Brisbane.
Looking back on the defining moments of the series, Kohli, in a video shared by Star Sports, admitted to being anxious ahead of the second Test but was soon swept up by the team's incredible performance.
"I will be very honest. Before the Melbourne Test, I was a bit anxious, but then the way the whole team played in Melbourne, I was cheering every ball. Jumping up from the couch every now and then as well, every time a wicket fell. Probably not as loud as I am on the field but still the cheers were loud enough," Kohli shared. "So, Melbourne was the game that I really felt like this is exactly what the team needed."
India's resurgence in Melbourne, led by Rahane’s composed century and stellar bowling from the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin , set the stage for one of the most iconic comebacks in cricket. Ravi Shastri , the then-head coach, revealed the mindset he instilled in the team after the Adelaide disaster.
"I think, one of the mornings where I said 'wear that 36 as a badge'. So that you never forget it when things are going your way, cash in and make the most of it. Melbourne turned it around. The win coming on the back of the 36 so quickly really lifted the spirit," Shastri recalled.
Kohli was full of praise for the stand-in skipper Rahane and the squad.
"The character and the belief shown by the whole squad—a group of young guys, which was led beautifully by Jinx (Ajinkya Rahane) in those three Test matches," Kohli said, highlighting the mental strength the team displayed in bouncing back.
As the series continued, India drew the third Test in Sydney and pulled off a stunning three-wicket victory in the final Test in Brisbane. Reflecting on the series, Shastri went as far as calling it the biggest moment in Test cricket.
"You talked about Indian performances. I will go one step forward: 'I don't think cricket has seen anything like this or anything bigger than this’. And that includes world Test match cricket. I don't think you would have seen anything as big as this," Shastri declared, emphasizing the enormity of the achievement.
After the humiliation of being bowled out for their lowest-ever total of 36 in Adelaide, many wrote the team off, especially with captain Virat Kohli departing after the first Test for the birth of his first child. However, under the leadership of stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane , India mounted a remarkable comeback, securing a thumping eight-wicket victory in Melbourne before sealing the series with a thrilling three-wicket win in Brisbane.
Looking back on the defining moments of the series, Kohli, in a video shared by Star Sports, admitted to being anxious ahead of the second Test but was soon swept up by the team's incredible performance.
"I will be very honest. Before the Melbourne Test, I was a bit anxious, but then the way the whole team played in Melbourne, I was cheering every ball. Jumping up from the couch every now and then as well, every time a wicket fell. Probably not as loud as I am on the field but still the cheers were loud enough," Kohli shared. "So, Melbourne was the game that I really felt like this is exactly what the team needed."
India's resurgence in Melbourne, led by Rahane’s composed century and stellar bowling from the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin , set the stage for one of the most iconic comebacks in cricket. Ravi Shastri , the then-head coach, revealed the mindset he instilled in the team after the Adelaide disaster.
"I think, one of the mornings where I said 'wear that 36 as a badge'. So that you never forget it when things are going your way, cash in and make the most of it. Melbourne turned it around. The win coming on the back of the 36 so quickly really lifted the spirit," Shastri recalled.
A fightback like no other, the 2020 Melbourne Test is one of 🇮🇳's toughest yet sweetest wins! 💙
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 23, 2024
Hear it from #ViratKohli & #RaviShastri! 🗣️
📺 Don’t miss 👉 #AUSvINDonStar, 1st Test starts from FRI, 22 NOV! | #ToughestRivalry pic.twitter.com/8ATqg5XFnt
Kohli was full of praise for the stand-in skipper Rahane and the squad.
"The character and the belief shown by the whole squad—a group of young guys, which was led beautifully by Jinx (Ajinkya Rahane) in those three Test matches," Kohli said, highlighting the mental strength the team displayed in bouncing back.
As the series continued, India drew the third Test in Sydney and pulled off a stunning three-wicket victory in the final Test in Brisbane. Reflecting on the series, Shastri went as far as calling it the biggest moment in Test cricket.
"You talked about Indian performances. I will go one step forward: 'I don't think cricket has seen anything like this or anything bigger than this’. And that includes world Test match cricket. I don't think you would have seen anything as big as this," Shastri declared, emphasizing the enormity of the achievement.
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