India’s experienced cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin combated opponents, injury, and time to script the most memorable comebacks for the Indian cricket team on Day 5 of the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Ashwin and his batting partners Hanuma Vihari were the superheroes behind India’s memorable win in the third Test as they helped team India pull off a remarkable draw.
Ravichandran Ashwin And Hanuma Vihari’s Heroics At SCG
The Border-Gavaskar 2020-21 Trophy in Australia turned out to be a historic one for India. For the unversed, during the series, the Indian cricket team registered their lowest Test score ever in the first Test match at Adelaide as they were bundled out for just 36 runs.
As the series proceeded, team India also faced injuries which led to the absence of several experienced players from the team. However, Hanuma Vihari, who had sustained a serious hamstring injury during his innings, smashed an unbeaten 161-ball 23 while Ashwin, who was struggling badly with back pain, smashed 39 off 128 balls as the two crushed all the hopes of Australian fans. The duo recorded an unbeaten 62 off 259, while struggling with pain and injuries.
Recalling the game, Ashwin has revealed his battle with pain during the game and also revealed how solid communication between him and Hanuma Vihari helped India seal a historic draw. Ashwin was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI, saying:
“We both got comfortable the instant we went in. We realised what problem we had, he could not come forward and be going on the backfoot. He was struggling from the hamstring injury. When I went to the crease I could not go forward against the fast bowlers. So in that situation, I said we will rotate and see how this will work,”
He added:
“After sometimes he was facing the fast bowlers and I was facing the spinners. And with that, we batted for a couple of overs. There was solid communication between him and me we were helping each other out,”
Recently, a trailer of Voot Select’s web series ‘Bandon Mein Tha Dum’ was released. The series showcases the journey of the 2020/21 India tour of Australia. Ashwin was also present during the trailer launch.
Ravichandran Ashwin Revealed How His Family Helped Him
Ravichandran Ashwin revealed how because of the back injury he was forced to miss the Gabba Test. However, despite the injury, he saved a big game for India with the bat at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He was India’s second-highest wicket-taker in the series with 12 wickets in three games.
He also revealed how his condition was so bad that he was rolling on the floor due to pain. At that time his wife and kids helped him to stand before the Physio came to check him. Talking about the same at the event, he said:
“Spinner’s role in the whole series was really critical. I was bowling my best. I thought I will take the most wickets in the series but Siraj overtook me which I’m really glad for. But it was easily one of the best series which I really enjoyed. I deeply missed playing the last Test and wanted to play so badly. In this series, I found myself in a really good place.”
He added: “It was surprising to me that I went bowling after the injury with painkillers. And bowled 13 or 14 over on the trot. It was so bad i was rolling on the floor because of the pain. My wife and kids helped me to stand and then the Physio came to check me. I went to the game crawling, but did my best,”
“Pat Cummins looked like a really special bowler. And he was bowling at the top of his game. And was quite hard to bat against him. Mitchell Starc is quick but Pat seems he is 5 km quicker than him. These are the feeling… you know cannot be truly explained,”
Later after the Sydney game, the Indian cricket team breached the Gabba fortress to beat Australia in the Brisbane Test and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
