'We almost played like an A team, not even a regular team'- Sunil Gavaskar picks Australia 2020-21 triumph as Ravi Shastri's coaching highlight

Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has picked Ravi Shastri’s biggest achievement as a coach during his tenure with the Indian team. Shastri was at the helm from 2017 to 2021. Under the 59-year-old, India managed to become a fearless outfit and dominated teams home and away. Gavaskar, though, picked India’s epic come-from-behind 2-1 victory Down Under in 2020-21 as Shastri’s biggest highlight as the coach.

India started the tour horribly as they were shot out for 36 in the day-night Test match in Adelaide. It was the lowest-ever innings total in the history of Indian cricket. Worst, the team also had to be without regular skipper Virat Kohli, who returned home for the birth of his child. India also lost several players along the way due to injuries. The management were forced to hand over debuts to several fringe players like Washington Sundar and T Natarajan.

India, though, defied all odds and managed to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The legendary cricketer in conversation with Star Sports also recalled Shastri’s words to the players "wear this 36 like a badge" – before scripting a turnaround of ages.

“It obviously has got to be the way India bounced back earlier this year after being dismissed for 36 (in Adelaide Pink Ball Test). Because when something like that happens, the team tends to lose belief in itself, there is a sense of disappointment and there is a sense of giving up. And that is where Shastri played a huge role because from what I've read, is that he said that 'you wear this 36 like a badge'.”

Gavaskar lavished praise on stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane and said the team played like A team and not a regular team. "And then Ajinkya Rahane, the way he led the side in the three Tests, and of course everyone stepped up. We played almost like an A team, not even the regular team. But every player who played in that, every replaced player came in and did well. And that again tells you the kind of influence and input that Ravi Shastri had on the younger players and the fringe players who are waiting for their opportunities," said Gavaskar.