Team India speedster Shardul Thakur dismissed former Australian captain Tim Paine’s comments following their 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 beat Australia by 3 wickets as well.
However, a few months later, Paine, Australia’s then-Test captain, said that India were good at distracting the opposition and that his side fell for that and took their eyes off the ball as well. However, reports came that the bio-bubble restrictions at Brisbane had India wanting to stay in Sydney and play the final Test at the SCG as well. Speaking at an event about the Gabba Test, Thakur mentioned how India faced horrific treatment from the Australians during the game.
“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. 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,” Shardul Thakur added.
However, several Indian players also faced racial abuse from the crowd during the Sydney and Brisbane Tests as well. Coming to Paine, the Gabba Test became his final outing for Australia in all formats as well. Shardul Thakur also felt the ill-treatment from Australia on and off the field during the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy. Notably, Team India faced several injuries throughout the series, including playing two debutants in T Natarajan and Washington Sundar in the final Test. Yet, they won.
“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,” concluded Shardul Thakur.
