With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 approaching, memories of the infamous match in Adelaide during the 2020 series are still fresh. That game saw India bowled out for a mere 36 runs, resulting in a crushing defeat to Australia. Despite this setback, India regrouped with remarkable confidence and went on to win the series, leaving an indelible mark on cricket history.

Recently, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin opened up about how former head coach Ravi Shastri played a crucial role in boosting the team’s morale after the humiliating defeat.

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“We were not thinking about a series win because we were just bowled out for 36. The mood in the dressing room was a bit down. Ravi Bhai organized a team dinner. He arranged for karaoke and started singing old Hindi songs. Everybody joined in. We were in a bubble, and Virat was also getting ready to return,” Ashwin shared during an interaction on Vimal Kumar’s YouTube channel.

Ashwin further added, “We were just focusing on doing well in the next Test in Melbourne. We kept small targets.”

Shastri’s leadership was instrumental in India’s historic 2020-21 series win. Despite missing key players like Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami, the team bounced back in the second Test at Melbourne, levelling the series. They then clinched the series 2-1 with a memorable victory at the Gabba, Brisbane.

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For the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India will once again travel to Australia, with the first Test set to begin on November 22 in Perth. Australia, having lost the last two home series to India, will be eager to turn the tables this time. Meanwhile, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team is gearing up with upcoming Test matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand to fine-tune their preparations for this marquee clash.