Exposing Cricket Team India’s head Ravi Shastri gave his perspective on the Team’s back-to-back series win in Australia in the year 2018/19 and 2020/21, in addition to comparing it with the near impossible victory over West Indies in the 1980s.
Breaking Barriers: Shastri’s Men Make History in Australia
India had never won a Test series against Australia in their home soil before the above mentioned two series. Shastri was the coach on both the occasions and the Indian side had to overcome he many hurdles before emerging victorious by a margin of 2-1.
Speaking to the Mid Day, he recalled the series wins in Australia and its magnitude by saying:Speaking to the Mid Day, he recalled the series wins in Australia and its magnitude by saying:
“People talk about World Cups, but if you go and ask people who follow the game all around the world, they will always think of those [2018-19 and 2020-21] series in Australia. How many teams have gone to Australia and beaten them [in a series]? It’s just like teams going to the West Indies and beating them in the 1980s. I don’t think any team did that,”
He continued:-“When you go there and win back-to-back series, you capture the imagination of people. Every cricketer knows that a series in Australia is one of the toughest. Beating them in their backyard takes a special effort. It does not happen over 40 overs, it happens over 20 days of hard Test cricket. In 2018-19, we played 19 days of cricket. Not many teams play 20 days of cricket because games get over in no time. We got knocked over in three days in 2020 and still won,”
A Career Highlight: Shastri’s Pride in India’s Down-Under Dominance
“It [Border-Gavaskar] might not be the World Cup trophy but it’s the biggest in my career. I have been part of a World Cup-winning team [1983], a World Championship of Cricket-winning side [1985]. I have called World Cup games, but those two wins in Australia are 24-carat,” said Shastri.
From Defeat to Triumph: India’s Resilience in 2020/21 Tour
Record-Breaking Victory: India’s Unbeaten Streak Against Australia
“Our bowlers are fit… that’s a challenge [for Australia]. The Australian batting line-up is not what it used to be. There is a lot of inexperience out there. There are players who have retired or at the end of their careers. A lot of players have to settle down in the Australian team and make a mark. So, the opportunity [to win again] is there, but Australia in Australia will compete. No question about that,” said Shastri.