India all-rounder Shardul Thakur recently recalled the horrific treatment he received from Australia during the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21. Notably, India and Australia played a memorable series during the Covid era in December 2020 – January 2021. India had to battle injuries to several of their key players but eventually emerged victorious 2-1.

Recalling the series, Thakur recently revealed the shocking treatment meted out to the Indian team during the series and said that there was no cleaning service in the hotel. He also shared the hardships faced by the entire team.

“The way they treated us was so horrible. There was no cleaning service in the hotel for four or five days. When you wanted to change the sheets, you had to go up five flights of stairs when you were tired,” Thakur said at an event.

Thakur later said in his speech that the then Australian captain Tim Paine lied in the media and revealed how the captain and coach had to fight with the management to give them what they wanted. Specifically, There were reports that India had cancelled the tour altogether because of the harsh treatment they received.

“I heard an interview from Tim Paine. That guy was absolutely lying, he was trying to cover himself up by making things up in the media and saying ‘we didn’t put pressure on the Indian team and we gave them what they wanted’. But I know the truth. Virat (Kohli) had left – and Ajinkya Rahane and Ravi Shastri were fighting with Cricket Australia regularly to give us what we wanted,” he added.

India’s historic victory at the Gabba

Thakur played a key role in India’s victory in the final Test of the series at the Gabba in Brisbane. Playing only his second Test, the all-rounder put together a crucial 123-run partnership for the seventh wicket, where Washington Sundar took 67 (115). He also took seven wickets in the match at an average of 22.14. Thanks to his performance and vital contributions from other players, India managed to end Australia’s 32-year unbeaten run at the Gabba and won their second consecutive Test series in Australia.

Meanwhile, Thakur recently underwent foot surgery after IPL 2024 and is expected to be out of action for three months. The seamed all-rounder will be keen to regain his form quickly with India set to tour Australia again in November for the BGT 2024-25.