'He said wear the 36 like a badge' - Sunil Gavaskar lavishes praises on Ravi Shastri for India's remarkable turnaround against Australia Down Under

Indian batting great Sunil Gavaskar has heaped praises on former Indian coach Ravi Shastri for instilling the fighting spirit in the Indian cricket team. Gavaskar highlighted how the Indian side bounced back Down Under earlier this year against Australia after they were bowled out for just 36 in the 1st Test match at Adelaide.

Gavaskar added that when a side loses a Test match badly, they tend to lose their self-belief. The former Indian batting icon said that Shastri played a major role when he said that the Indian players should wear their ’36 debacle’ like a proud badge.

“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’,” said Gavaskar in a chat on Star Sports.

Every Indian player did well in Australia: Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar further said that each and every Indian player stepped up in the Test series Down Under against the Aussies. Gavaskar once again credited Shastri for this, and concluded by stating that Shastri’s influence and his inputs played a key role in helping the Indian side script a sensational turnaround.

“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,” concluded Gavaskar.

After the loss at Adelaide, India bounced back against Australia to win the four-match Test series 2-1.