Fearless India Risked Losing 4th Test To Win The Series: Bharat Arun

Before the crucial fourth and final Test against Australia in Brisbane, India was tempted to strengthen their batting and play only four bowlers in the hope of securing a draw to return home with the

The former India pacer revealed that the India head coach Shastri, after the crushing loss in the first Test in Adelaide, where India was bowled out for their lowest ever total of 36, had told the boys not to go conservative but remain aggressive and fearless even if it meant losing the Test series 0-4.

"You fear when you have certain goals and you are thinking only of the outcome and if you do not have the process in place. You also fear when you do not want to lose games and play safe. Both Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli kept insisting that we don't mind losing even after the Adelaide Test match," said Arun.

"Ravi Shastri said to the team, 'I don't mind us losing 4-0. But we are known for the brand of cricket we play. That should never change. We should play that. We should never get conservative. We should look to be more positive'. Had we lost in Australia, it wouldn't have deterred us. The last Test we played is a testimony to how they play," said Arun.

India went into the final day of the final Test needing 324 to win. The best option would have been to hold on to a draw. However, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Rishabh Pant ensured a three-wicket victory.

"What the batsmen have done on the final day was to take a flight to the Aussie on the last day and not be afraid. They were not thinking of drawing the match but how to win from here. That takes a lot of courage. Sometimes you lose, but the loss gives invaluable lessons," said Arun.