India had defeated Australia by three wickets at Gabba.
India were not a full-strengthen side ahead of the Brisbane Test match, having lost their key players due to injury. The series was levelled at 1-1 and Australia, being the host and a terrific record in Brisbane, were expected to take the trophy.
However, the team led by Ajinkya Rahane was not ready to bow down so easily. India needed 328 runs in the fourth innings in 97 overs to register a memorable victory.
Riding on Rishabh Pant's unbeaten 89, Shubman Gill’s 91 and vital contributions from Cheteshwar Pujara (56) and Washington Sundar (22), the visitors chased down the target with three wickets in hand and also clinched the four-match Test series 2-1.
Recalling the historic victory, Indian off-spinner R Ashwin, who also played a major role in the series win, revealed that then-head coach Ravi Shastri had actually wanted a draw in the Gabba Test.
"It's very difficult to understand what's going on in his (Pant's) mind. He can do anything. He's so incredibly blessed with ability that he thinks he can hit a six every ball. Sometimes, it's difficult to keep him calm. In Sydney, Puji tried to keep him calm but he eventually missed the century.
"In this Test (fourth Test at Gabba), Ravi bhai wanted a draw. Because we could've drawn the match. But everyone had a different plan! I asked Jinx, "are we going for a win?" and he said, "He (Rishabh Pant) is playing his own game. We will see how it goes." The moment Washi went in and scored brisk 20 odd runs, our plan changed. Washi made a very important contribution as well," Ashwin recalled during a conversation with Sports Yaari.
Ravichandran Ashwin finished the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 with 12 wickets in three Tests. He was instrumental in India drawing the third Test at SCG.