Ajinkya Rahane Reveals How He Bluffed Australia After India’s 36 All Out

India’s 2020-21 tour of Australia began with one of the darkest moments in the team’s Test cricket history. But what followed became one of Indian cricket’s most memorable comebacks.

Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has now spoken about the pressure he felt when he took over the captaincy after India were bowled out for just 36 runs in Adelaide.

Speaking during a panel discussion at an event called Beyond Boundaries on Wednesday, Rahane recalled how people began predicting that India would lose the four-Test series 4-0. He admitted that he was nervous, but he also had a plan.

Rahane said his “bluff” against Australia and the Australian media worked in India’s favour. His comments offer a glimpse into the mental side of a series that India eventually won 2-1.

Why was the Adelaide defeat such a big shock?

The first Test in Adelaide was a day-night match played with a pink ball. India had taken a first-innings lead, putting themselves in a strong position.

But the second innings turned into a nightmare.

India were dismissed for just 36 runs, their lowest total in Test cricket history. Australia needed only 90 runs to win and completed the chase comfortably.

The defeat was painful enough, but the circumstances made it worse. Captain Virat Kohli was due to return to India after the first Test for the birth of his child. That meant Rahane would lead the team for the remaining three matches.

Many observers expected Australia to dominate the rest of the series. India had suffered a huge defeat, their confidence was under pressure, and their regular captain was no longer available.

Rahane admits he was nervous

Taking over as captain after such a heavy defeat was not easy.

Rahane recalled that predictions of a 4-0 series loss were already being discussed after Adelaide. The team was facing enormous pressure, and the situation could easily have affected its confidence.

But Rahane did not want the players to get trapped in those predictions.

His task was to keep the dressing room focused on the next match rather than allow one terrible performance to define the entire tour.

That required more than technical decisions on the field. It also meant managing the players’ confidence, responding to criticism and convincing the team that a comeback was still possible.

What did Rahane mean by his “bluff”?

Rahane’s reference to a “bluff” points to the psychological side of captaincy.

In cricket, a captain does not reveal every plan to the opposition. Team selections, tactics, body language and public comments can all influence how opponents prepare for a match.

Rahane suggested that his approach towards Australia and its media helped India during the series. However, the available remarks do not explain every detail of what he did, so it would be wrong to claim that one specific trick alone changed the outcome.

What is clear is that India entered the next match with a different mindset. Instead of accepting the idea that the series was already lost, the team focused on responding through its performances.

How India turned the series around

The second Test in Melbourne became the turning point. Rahane scored a century in India’s first innings, helping the team take control. India won by eight wickets, levelling the series at 1-1.

The victory was important because it came immediately after the Adelaide collapse. It showed that India could recover from a major setback and compete strongly against Australia.

The challenges did not end there. India were missing several key players through injuries as the tour continued. Yet the team remained competitive.

The third Test in Sydney ended in a draw after India fought hard in the final innings. Rishabh Pant, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari played important roles in helping India save the match.

That result meant India needed to win the final Test in Brisbane to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The Gabba victory that sealed the series

The fourth Test at the Gabba in Brisbane brought the series to a memorable conclusion.

Australia had not lost a Test at the venue since 1988, making it one of their strongest home grounds. India, meanwhile, were dealing with injuries and had to rely on a number of less experienced players.

Shubman Gill scored 91 in the fourth innings, while Rishabh Pant remained unbeaten on 89. Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur also made valuable contributions earlier in the match.

India chased down the target of 328 and won by three wickets.

The victory gave India the series 2-1, despite the 36-run collapse in the opening Test and the loss of several first-choice players.

Why Rahane’s captaincy is still remembered

Rahane’s contribution was not limited to his own batting. His leadership during the series helped India move past a disastrous opening and remain focused through injuries and difficult conditions.

The Melbourne century, the fightback in Sydney and the final win in Brisbane became parts of the same story: India refused to let one defeat decide the entire tour.

The comeback also showed why confidence and decision-making matter in sport. A captain cannot control every injury, every dismissal or every opponent’s move. But the captain can influence how the team responds when things go wrong.

The bigger picture

Rahane’s latest recollection brings attention back to a series that changed the way many people viewed India’s ability to compete overseas.

The Adelaide defeat was extraordinary, but the response was even more remarkable. India recovered, won in Melbourne, held on in Sydney and chased down a difficult target in Brisbane.

Rahane says his bluff against Australia and its media worked in his favour. The broader lesson from that tour is that the team did not allow outside predictions or one humiliating performance to determine what happened next.

India’s 2020-21 series win remains a powerful example of resilience, belief and leadership under pressure.