India’s Miraculous Comeback After Adelaide Humiliation: Ashwin Recounts Dressing Room Mood
In the aftermath of India’s humiliating 36 all out in the first Test against Australia in Adelaide in 2020, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has shed light on the somber mood in the dressing room.
Despite holding a 53-run lead in the first innings, India collapsed to their lowest Test score, handing Australia a comfortable victory. The defeat left the team reeling and questioning their chances of winning the series.
However, according to Ashwin, head coach Ravi Shastri played a pivotal role in lifting the team’s spirits. “The mood in the dressing room was a bit down,” Ashwin said. “But Ravi Bhai organized a team dinner and arranged for karaoke. He started singing old Hindi songs, and everybody joined in.”
With captain Virat Kohli preparing to leave for the birth of his child, the team set modest goals for the remaining Tests. “We were just focusing on doing well in the next Test in Melbourne,” Ashwin said. “We kept small targets.”
What followed was a remarkable turnaround. Under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, India fought back with determination and resilience. They drew the second Test in Melbourne, won the third Test in Sydney, and triumphed in the fourth Test at the Gabba, where Australia had not lost in 32 years.
Ashwin credits the team’s unity and belief for their success. “We had a lot of belief in ourselves,” he said. “We knew we could do it, and we just kept fighting.”
India’s victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 remains one of the most inspiring stories in cricket history. It showcased the team’s ability to overcome adversity and achieve greatness.
