When Ajinkya Rahane Accused Credit Stealing After India’s Historic BGT Win
The Context of India’s Greatest Test Triumph
The 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is etched in cricketing folklore. Following a humiliating defeat in the first Test at Adelaide, where India was bundled out for a mere 36 runs in their second innings, the team faced mounting criticism and skepticism. To make matters more challenging, regular skipper Virat Kohli returned to India for the birth of his child. In his absence, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane stepped up to lead a heavily depleted side ravaged by injuries. What followed was an extraordinary turnaround, culminating in a historic 2-1 series victory. Yet, despite the glory, a quiet storm brewed regarding who deserved the credit for this monumental achievement.
The Controversy: When Ajinkya Rahane Accused Credit Stealing After India’s Historic BGT Win
The debate was reignited when details resurfaced of the period When Ajinkya Rahane Accused Credit Stealing After India’s Historic BGT Win. Speaking on an episode of the show ‘Backstage with Boria’, Rahane opened up about his feelings regarding the aftermath of the historic triumph. He alleged that while he made critical decisions on the field and inside the dressing room, other individuals took the credit for those tactical moves.
In his interview, Rahane expressed his disappointment quite clearly. He stated: “I know what I’ve done there. I don’t need to tell anyone. That’s not my nature to go and take credit. Yes, there were some things that I took the decisions on the field or in the dressing room but someone else took the credit for it.”
He further commented on how the media and certain individuals reacted after the series win: “After that, the reactions from people or those who took credit or what was said on the media, ‘I did this’ or ‘This was my decision’, or ‘This was my call’, it was for them to talk about.”
The Resurfacing of the Controversy and Ashwin’s Revelation
These four-year-old remarks by Rahane gained fresh traction on social media recently. This resurfacing occurred after veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made comments during the ESPNCricinfo awards, indirectly crediting current captain Rohit Sharma for Rishabh Pant‘s match-winning heroics in the final Test at the Gabba.
Ashwin’s revelation provided a fascinating inside look into the tense final day at Brisbane, where India needed 328 runs to secure a series-winning victory. According to Ashwin, there was a difference of opinion in the camp regarding the approach to the chase. While the head coach at the time, Ravi Shastri, favored playing for a secure draw, opener Rohit Sharma advocated for an aggressive pursuit of the target, encouraging wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant to go all out for the win.Ashwin recalled the dressing room atmosphere: “We were having that weather blogging on one side and the other side with Ravi bhai’s ups and downs. That’s the beauty of Test cricket. In the latter part of the game, Rohit wanted Rishabh to go for the win. Ravi bhai wanted to play for the draw, and it just kept flowing for the next two hours. Great Test match.”
Rahane’s Exceptional On-Field Leadership
Despite the off-field chatter regarding credits and tactical decisions, Rahane’s tactical acumen on the field during that series remains undisputed. After taking the reins following the Adelaide disaster, Rahane played a captain’s knock in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), scoring a masterful century that set up an eight-wicket victory for India to level the series.
In the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), India displayed immense resilience. Faced with a daunting target on Day 5, a heroic partnership between Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari saw India bat out the day to secure a fighting draw.
Then came the decider at the Gabba—a venue where Australia had not lost a Test match in over three decades. Chasing 328 on the final day, India lost Rohit Sharma early for just seven runs. However, young opener Shubman Gill set the tone with an enterprising 91, while Cheteshwar Pujara anchored the innings, enduring multiple painful body blows from the Australian pace battery.Rahane himself played a crucial, quick-fire cameo of 24 runs off just 22 deliveries, shifting the momentum and signaling India’s aggressive intent after the fall of Gill. Ultimately, Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 89 guided India to an emotional three-wicket victory, sealing one of the greatest series wins in cricket history.
The Complex Dynamics of Credit in Team Sports
The saga surrounding Rahane’s comments highlights a perennial issue in Indian cricket: the distribution of credit in high-profile victories. In a team boasting massive superstars and vocal coaching staff, the quiet, understated leadership of someone like Ajinkya Rahane can sometimes be overshadowed in the post-series narrative.
While Rahane chose not to name the individuals he felt stole his credit, his remarks reflect the internal friction that can exist even during a historic sporting achievement. The contrasting leadership styles of Virat Kohli, Ravi Shastri, Rohit Sharma, and Ajinkya Rahane all played unique roles in shaping that unforgettable tour. However, the debate over who truly pulled the tactical strings at crucial junctures remains a talking point among cricket enthusiasts to this day.
