India all-rounder Shardul Thakur recently came forward to reveal the harsh treatment that the Indian team endured during their tour of Australia in 2020–21. Despite the adversity, India managed to clinch a historic 1-2 series win against the Aussies. Shardul Thakur was a key hero in the famous Gabba win over Tim Paine of Australia.
The story of India’s tour to Australia in 2020–21 is one that defied all odds, as after a humiliating defeat in the first Test in Adelaide, they staged a perfect comeback and won the second Test in Melbourne before drawing the third in Sydney. The series ended with India registering a historic win at the Gabba.
Shardul Thakur Opens Up About Australia Tour Ordeal
The tour began on a disastrous note with India’s humiliating collapse to 36 runs in the first Test. The situation worsened with Virat Kohli’s departure and Mohammed Shami’s injury, leaving the team in a precarious position. With little expectation of a comeback, India defied all odds to secure a remarkable series victory, showcasing exceptional resilience.
India’s tour of Australia in 2020-21 was a tale of resilience and triumph. After a devastating defeat in the first Test, the team staged a remarkable comeback, winning the second Test in Melbourne and drawing the third in Sydney. The series culminated in a historic three-wicket victory at the Gabba, marking India’s first Test win at the venue in 32 years.
Shardul Thakur, a key member of the victorious team, has recently opened up about the harsh treatment endured by the Indian players during the tour. The Mumbai pacer described the experience as “horrible,” highlighting the challenges faced by the team. The controversy intensified when the Queensland government threatened to impose a 14-day quarantine on the Indian team, leading to a public spat. Queensland’s Health Shadow Minister Ros Bates infamously stated, “If the Indians don’t want to play by the rules, don’t come.”
Shardul Thakur’s shocking revelation on Tim Paine in Australia during epic 2021 series
Team India pacer Shardul Thakur dismissed former Australian captain Tim Paine’s remarks following the side’s shocking loss to India in the final Test of the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba in Brisbane. With the series tied at 1-1 heading into the finale at the Gabba, India breached Australia’s fortress with a stunning three-wicket win.
A few months later, Paine, Australia’s then-Test captain, took a shot at India by saying they were good at distracting the opposition and that his side fell for that and took their eyes off the ball.
For context, reports were floating around that the bio-bubble restrictions at Brisbane had India wanting to stay in Sydney and play the final Test at the SCG.
Speaking at an event about the Gabba Test, Thakur mentioned how India faced horrific treatment from the Australians during the game while dismissing Paine’s remarks as a prop to protect himself from media criticism.
“I heard some interview from Tim Paine and that man was absolutely lying because he was just saving himself by making up things in the media and covering up that they didn’t put any pressure on the Indian team and we gave them whatever they wanted,” said Thakur.
“I know the truth of it. Our coach Ravi Shastri and captain after Virat had left, Ajinkya Rahane, they both were in a regular fight with the cricketing board of Australia to get the things we wanted,” he added.
Several Indian players also encountered racial abuse from the crowd during the Sydney and Brisbane Tests. Coming to Paine, the Gabba Test became his final outing for Australia in all formats.
“For the first time ever we didn’t even look at the Australians after winning” – Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur felt the ill-treatment from Australia on and off the field during the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy led to them not even looking at them after the Gabba win.
Team India was rigged with several injuries throughout the series, including playing two debutants in T Natarajan and Washington Sundar in the final Test. Yet, they overcome all odds to stun the Aussies with a remarkable 2-1 series win after trailing 0-1.
“The whole tour was difficult with the numerous injuries. Even in the last game, Saini got injured, Natarajan also got injured. And in the second innings, myself and Siraj bowled 9 overs each continuously and for the first time ever we didn’t even look at the Australians after winning. We said go and sit back in your dressing room,” said Thakur in the same event.
Thakur played a massive role in the series-clinching Test at the Gabba, scoring 67 in the first innings and picking up seven wickets in the game. His 123-run seventh-wicket partnership with Sundar helped India recover from a dismal 186/6 to 336, a mere 33 runs behind Australia’s first-innings total