36 all-out in Adelaide was the lowest point for me as India's head coach, says Ravi Shastri

India's disappointing T20 World Cup 2021 marked the end of Ravi Shastri's four-year tenure as India's full-time head coach. The team achieved various highs during his stint, especially in Test cricket, punctuated by a few lows in between. 

"See, the coach is in the firing line; there is no choice. That is the quirk of the job. You have to be ready from day one. I knew there would be no escape routes. The 36 all out was the lowest point," Shastri, whose tenure as head coach came to an end after the 2021 T20 World Cup last month, told The Week.

India were leading by 53 runs at the end of first innings in Adelaide. However, Australia pacers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins ran through their batting unit in the second innings, bagging five and four wickets respectively to skittle them out for 36. The top-order ensured that the 90-run target was completed with eight wickets remaining. 

India missed the services of Mohammad Shami, who sustained an injury after being hit on the arm by a Pat Cummins delivery at the end of India's innings. Virat Kohli had flew back home to attend the birth of his child, while Ishant Sharma had already been ruled out of the series. The team bounced back strongly after the Adelaide defeat under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, and won the second and fourth Test in Melbourne and Brisbane respectively, while earning a hard-fought draw in Sydney to take the series 2-1.

"It was not just me. I would be the first to put my hand up and say I was the one responsible, take the brickbats; there is no place to hide," he said. "I told the boys to focus on what they could do. The boys were unbelievable. One month after that 36 all out, on January 19, we had won the series. I am still thinking, how did that happen? I promise, as long as I live, people will talk about that series win."