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Vikram Rathour, the former Indian batting coach, reminisced about the remarkable achievement of the Indian cricket team during their 2020-2021 tour of Australia. In January 2021, an underdog Indian side scripted history by securing a 2-1 victory in the Test series against Australia, marking one of the most memorable triumphs in the team’s journey.
Reflecting on this historic moment, Rathour highlighted how the second-string Indian squad, despite facing formidable challenges, including against the strong Australian team, demonstrated exceptional depth, resilience, and an unyielding spirit. Their victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy stood as a testament to their unwavering determination and collective effort in overcoming daunting odds.
Vikram Rathour reminisces about India’s historic Test series win in Australia with a second-string team in 2020-2021.
India’s Test campaign started on a disastrous note with a humiliating defeat in the first Test at Adelaide, where they were bundled out for just 36 runs in the second innings, their lowest-ever score in Test history.
Adding to their challenges, key players like Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravichandran Ashwin suffered injuries, while captain Virat Kohli returned home for the birth of his first child.
Despite these setbacks, stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane displayed exemplary leadership. The Indian cricket team bounced back spectacularly, with Rahane’s century in the second Test setting the stage for a dominant performance. India clinched the second Test in Melbourne by eight wickets, leveling the four-match series.
The third Test in Sydney proved to be a gritty contest, where Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin’s resilient partnership on the final day secured a hard-fought draw, setting up a thrilling finale in Brisbane. The fourth and final Test at the Gabba, where Australia hadn’t been defeated in 32 years, witnessed a heroic performance from India’s young and inexperienced squad.
Shubman Gill’s aggressive 91, Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 89, and crucial contributions from Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur guided India to a historic three-wicket victory on the final day, breaching the Gabba fortress. This Test series triumph wasn’t merely a victory
Vikram Rathour reflects on the challenges posed by injuries to key players during the Australia tour.
Meanwhile, Rathour pondered over the preparation and obstacles encountered during the memorable Test series against Australia. The former Indian batting coach highlighted how the team arrived ahead of schedule, engaging in extensive practice sessions despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions and isolation.
Rathour also disclosed that the team’s strategy focused on maintaining a composed mindset, steering clear of overthinking and undue analysis in response to injuries sustained by key players during the tour. He emphasized their deliberate avoidance of panic, remaining steadfast in their approach, which ultimately culminated in one of the most remarkable Test series victories in history.
Vikram Rathour was quoted as saying by Sportstar: “We prepared well for that series. We were there early; we had some practice sessions. Those were COVID times, and we were in isolation. We had an exclusive practice area, which gave us an excellent opportunity to work and prepare well. We were in a perfect position in the first Test, and the 36 all-out happened. It was a freak session. The message in the group was simple: There’s nothing wrong with what we did. Let’s not start overthinking and overanalyzing. We did not panic. It turned out to be one of the best series ever.”
