In the 2020/21 series against Australia, injured Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari pulled off an epic heist in Sydney. And despite the fact that the two are largely responsible for one of India’s greatest draws.
Shardul Thakur, a fast bowler, also contributed to the victory without even rolling his arms.
India’s historic victory in the 2018/19 series in Australia was significant.
However, India’s 2020/21 victory in Australia will go down in history as one of, if not the greatest, of its international victories.
India defeated the formidable Pat Cummins-led Australia with their second-string team, benefiting from the infamous “36 all out” episode and the absence of the majority of the team’s mainstay players due to injuries.
Despite the fact that the victory at Gabba remains the most memorable of all, the series’ miraculous escape in Sydney, where injured Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari fought off the threatening Australian attack to salvage a draw, ranks immediately second on the list.
And despite the fact that the two are largely responsible for one of India’s greatest draws, Shardul Thakur, a fast bowler, has also contributed to the victory without even rolling his arms.
With his stunning 118-ball 97 and his 148-run partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant, who was also injured but had taken a painkiller before stepping in, India was on the verge of victory.
India found itself in a difficult situation despite their valiant efforts. With Ashwin and Vihari as their two remaining batters, they had 127 runs to chase in the final session.
Jadeja was also in the batting order, but he had hurt his thumb. India was further harmed by the injuries to Ashwin and Vihari. Ashwin had injured his back while Vihari was struggling with a hamstring injury.
R Sridhar, a former fielding coach for Team India, writes in his book “Coaching Beyond: According to “My Days with the Indian Cricket Team.
” it was decided at tea that Ashwin would face the office and Vihari would face the pacers because Vihari had difficulty facing Nathan Lyon because of his injury.
“Another tactical decision was made while we gathered to congratulate and encourage Vihari and Ashwin at teatime. After pulling his hamstring, Vihari was unable to play convincingly for Lyon because he was restricted in his movement.
He couldn’t keep going with his long, steady stride. The quicks were hitting Ashwin with bouncers in the interim.
Sridhar went on to say that, despite the fact that the strategy worked perfectly in the beginning. It was exposed when the two batters chose to hit an unnecessary single.
As a result, Ravi Shastri, the head coach of India at the time, felt compelled to send Shardul Thakur a message during the drinks break stating that Ashwin and Vihari must adhere to the plan.
“They took a single, exposing Vihari to Lyon and Ashwin to the fast men after sticking to their own ends of the bargain for some odd reason.
The situation remained unchanged after a few singles, and Ravi was beginning to lose his shirt. He called Shardul Thakur as a replacement and instructed him to “Listen to me very carefully, and repeat this to them:”
Ashwin will play Lyon, and Vihari will handle the fast bowlers regardless of what happens. Period. No singles, no change in ends.
“Sridhar continued, “‘Shardul smiled coyly and said, ‘Yes, sir,’ before charging to the middle with a bottle of water for Ashwin.”
The 52-year-old recalled that Shastri had asked Shardul. If he had sent the message, and the bowler had agreed at the time.
However, it was discovered much later that Shardul had lied to Shastri rather than following his orders. Sridhar was of the opinion that the fast bowler.
Either misunderstood the instructions as he made his way to the middle order or that he probably didn’t want to impede the pace of the batters. Who staged a “block then” that lasted 259 balls? In the end, he praised Shardul for his behavior.
He returned inside after speaking briefly with the two batters. Have you received my message?’ Ravi barked.’ Of course, Shardul replied, “Yes, sir.”
“We got the fat out of the fire and got away with one of the best draws. So the real story didn’t come out until much, much later.
When Ashwin entered the dressing room, he apparently inquired about Shard ul’s entry. Keep doing the same things, you are hitting well.
He failed to convey Ravi’s message; Instead, he only said what the batters wanted to hear at the time. He probably realized that, no matter how well-thought-out the instructions were.
They could impede the batters’ progress and the zone they were in. So he sent the message he thought was the most appropriate. I salute him!
That directly relates to the type of empowerment we gave the players, which they learned to use wisely,” Sridhar remarked