India’s 2-1 Test series win over Australia in 2020/21 is widely regarded as one of the team’s biggest achievements in red-ball cricket. Without the services of regular captain Virat Kohli after the first Test, the team under Ajinkya Rahane defied all odds, as it battled injury to star players throughout the matches to beat the home team in the four-match series.
With the score at 1-1, India were up against a strong Australian side at Gadda – where were unbeaten since 1988. However, Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 89, along with Shubman Gill (91), Cheteshwar Pujara (56) and Washington Sundar (22) led India to a sensational win.
R Ashwin, who played a major role in India’s triumph, has revealed that then-head coach Ravi Shastri was ready to settle for a draw in Gabba Test. According to him, the team was in a state of confusion over whether the side is targeting a win or a draw.
“Ravi bhai wanted a draw but everyone had a different plan. Rishabh Pant was playing his own game and when Washington Sundar scored an aggressive 20, our plans changed. He made a very useful contribution,” Ashwin recalled during a conversation with Sports Yaari.
Ashwin took 12 wickets in three Test matches.