Ravichandran Ashwin recently shared how former head coach Ravi Shastri played a crucial role in lifting the team's morale after their infamous 36-all out against Australia in the 2020 Adelaide Test. It was one of the darkest moments in Indian cricket, as the team was bowled out for their lowest-ever total in Test history during the first match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 series at the Adelaide Oval.
India's batting lineup, which included star players like captain Virat Kohli, collapsed dramatically after gaining a 53-run lead in the first innings. Australia, needing just 90 runs to win, comfortably chased down the target, handing India a crushing defeat and taking a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. The mood in the Indian dressing room was understandably low, with players disheartened by the shocking loss and many not even thinking about how to recover for the rest of the series.
However, it was in this moment of despair that Ravi Shastri's leadership shone through. According to Ashwin, Shastri recognized the need to rebuild the team’s confidence. He decided to take an unconventional approach by organizing a team dinner, where he arranged for a karaoke session to lighten the atmosphere. In a video on Vimal Kumar's official YouTube channel, Ashwin recounted how Shastri himself joined in, singing Hindi songs to uplift the players and boost their morale.
Shastri's ability to inject positivity and keep the team united, even in the face of such a crushing defeat, played a pivotal role in helping the team regroup. His efforts were instrumental in setting the tone for what became one of the most remarkable comebacks in cricket history. India bounced back from the Adelaide disaster, winning two of the next three Tests to clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1, despite losing several key players to injury throughout the series.
The turnaround, highlighted by India's historic win at the Gabba in Brisbane, is now remembered as one of the greatest moments in Indian cricket. Ashwin's account serves as a reminder of how Shastri's leadership and the team's resilience helped them overcome adversity and write a new chapter in cricketing history.
