Shardul Thakur reveals India’s harsh experience during 2020-21 Australia tour

India's all-rounder Shardul Thakur recently shed light on the difficult conditions the Indian cricket team faced during their tour of Australia in 2020-21. Despite these challenges, India achieved a historic 2-1 series win against Australia.

The tour started on a rough note with a heavy defeat in the first Test in Adelaide. However, India made a remarkable comeback, winning the second Test in Melbourne, drawing the third in Sydney, and clinching a memorable victory at the Gabba.

Shardul Thakur shared details about the hardships the team faced. 

“The way they treated us was very horrible. For four or five days there won't be any housekeeping services in the hotel. You want to change your bed sheets, you would have to walk up the stairs for four or five floors, get the bed sheets. When you're tired, come change it, do your own things,” Shardul said.

The difficulties didn't stop there. After Virat Kohli left the tour and Ajinkya Rahane took over as captain, head coach Ravi Shastri had frequent clashes with Cricket Australia to secure better conditions for the team. 

“Our coach Ravi Shastri, Virat had left, Ajinkya was leading. They both were in a regular fight with the Cricketing Board of Australia to get the things that we wanted. Yes, it was difficult the whole tour," he further added.

Injuries also plagued the team throughout the tour. Shardul highlighted the final Test at the Gabba, where multiple players, including Navdeep Saini and T. Natarajan, got injured. Despite this, Shardul and Mohammed Siraj bowled nine overs each in the second innings to secure the win.

"Injuries kept happening. Even in the last game, [Navdeep] Saini got injured. [T] Natarajan also got injured. And in the second inning, [Mohammed] Siraj and me bowled 9 overs each. And... first time ever we didn't even look at Australians after winning we said go and sit back in your dressing room,” he concluded.