Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently opened up about the dressing room atmosphere after India’s shocking collapse for 36 runs in the first Test of the 2020 Border Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide, one of the lowest moments in Indian cricket history.
India had a 53-run lead after the first innings, only to be bowled out for their lowest-ever total in Test cricket. Australia chased down the 90-run target comfortably, taking a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.
In a conversation shared on Vimal Kumar’s YouTube channel, Ashwin revealed that the team was understandably downcast after the Adelaide debacle. However, head coach Ravi Shastri played a pivotal role in reviving the team’s morale by organizing a team dinner and karaoke session, during which Shastri himself sang a few Hindi classics to lift the spirits of the players.
“We were not thinking about winning the series at that point because we had just been bowled out for 36. The mood in the dressing room was low. But Ravi Bhai organized a team dinner with karaoke. He started singing old Hindi songs, and everyone joined in,” Ashwin shared.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, captain Virat Kohli was preparing to return to India to be with his wife, actress Anushka Sharma, for the birth of their first child. The team, however, remained focused on achieving “small targets,” said Ashwin.
The comeback that followed was nothing short of extraordinary. With Ajinkya Rahane taking over the captaincy, India bounced back, playing inspiring and determined cricket. The series concluded with India securing a historic win at the Gabba, Australia’s fortress for 32 years, sealing an incredible 2-1 series victory.
The upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22, with India and Australia set to face off in Perth for the first Test. The highly anticipated day-night Test in Adelaide will follow from December 6 to 10. Fans can also look forward to the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and the final match at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, which promises an exciting conclusion to the series.
