Former India head coach Ravi Shastri recollected the memories from India's first-ever Test series win in Australia. They had defeated Australia by 2-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2018-19.
The Virat Kohli-led side started the Test series with a win in Adelaide by 31 runs. But they were handed over a huge loss by 146 runs in Perth as Australia fought back in the series.
“2019 was a tremendous series. And we had the feeling on that tour that if we start off well, there is a chance. If we get Australia early, then there is a great chance. And we won in Adelaide. Went all the way down to the wire. I think by 30-odd runs we won but that was great because then that belief was there,” Shastri said on show titled ‘Bold and Brave The Ravi Shastri Way’ for Star Sports.
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Shastri then spoke about the 'biggest gamble' in his coaching stint which came in the third Test of the series at Melbourne when the series by leveled at 1-1. The gamble paid off and India went on to win the match by 137 runs to take a 2-1 lead, which they maintained till the conclusion of the series.
“Yes, we lost in Perth where the wicket suited their bowling, and they hammered us. Virat played an outstanding innings, one of the great hundreds you’ll see. And then came Melbourne… I think Jadeja had come back from injury, Ash was injured. So we had to pick another side altogether. 1-1 in the series, that was the biggest gamble for me in my tenure as coach. Our openers were struggling, so we said that putting them in for another Test will put them under immense pressure and give the opposition an upper hand.
“So we decided to go in with 2 new players. Mayank Agarwal… you know, he had just landed 3 days ago and I told him you will be playing. Just don’t think it’s Australia and think it’s another game and you are carrying that form. And Hanuma opened and did a very good job. He might not have got the volume of runs but as an opening batter you know how tough that session can be. He roughed it out there, saw the new ball through. Rest is history," said Shastri.
(From the show ‘Bold and Brave The Ravi Shastri Way’)
