"That man was absolutely lying" - Shardul Thakur on Tim Paine's remarks about India post Australia's 2021 Gabba Test
Team India pacer Shardul Thakur has rubbished former Australian captain Tim Paine's remarks following the side's shocking loss to India in the final Test of the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba in Brisbane.
With the series tied at 1-1 heading into the finale at the Gabba, India breached Australia's fortress with a stunning three-wicket win. A few months later, Paine, Australia's then-Test captain, took a shot at India by saying they were good at distracting the opposition and that his side fell for that and took their eyes off the ball.
For context, there were reports floating around at the time that the bio-bubble restrictions at Brisbane had India wanting to stay in Sydney and play the final Test at the SCG.
Speaking at a recent event, Thakur claimed India faced horrific treatment from the Australians during the Gabba game. He also said Paine's remarks were a prop to protect himself from media criticism.
"I heard some interview from Tim Paine and that man was absolutely lying because he was just saving himself by making up things in the media and covering up that they didn't put any pressure on the Indian team and we gave them whatever they wanted," said Thakur via IISM World (via private X user 'Rushiii45.)'
"I know the truth of it. Our coach Ravi Shastri and captain after Virat had left, Ajinkya Rahane, they both were in a regular fight with the cricketing board of Australia to get the things we wanted," he added.
Several Indian players also allegedly encountered racial abuse from the crowd during the Sydney and Brisbane Tests.
The Gabba Test was Paine's final outing for Australia in all formats.
"For the first time ever we didn't even look at the Australians after winning" - Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur further said the alleged ill-treatment from Australia on and off the field during the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy led to them not even looking at them after the Gabba win.
Team India dealt with injuries throughout the series, and were forced to play two debutants - T Natarajan and Washington Sundar - in the final Test. They overcame all odds to stun the Aussies with a remarkable 2-1 series win after trailing 0-1.
"The whole tour was difficult with the numerous injuries. Even in the last game, Saini got injured, Natarajan also got injured. And in the second innings, myself and Siraj bowled 9 overs each continuously and for the first time ever we didn't even look at the Australians after winning. We said go and sit back in your dressing room," said Thakur at the same event.
Thakur played a massive role in the series-clinching Test at the Gabba, scoring 67 in the first innings and picking up seven wickets in the game. His 123-run seventh-wicket partnership with Sundar helped India recover from a dismal 186/6 to 336, a mere 33 runs behind Australia's first-innings total.