Filmmaker Neeraj Pandey and Ravichandran Ashwin talk about cricket docuseries ‘Bandon Mein Tha Dum’

The docuseries by Voot features cricketers from both Indian and Australian sides in that fiercely competed series

Ravichandran Ashwin had not faced over 50 balls in Test cricket for over a year. His last half-century came four years ago. His back was so stiff he could neither sit down nor bend to tie his shoelaces. His wife later revealed that he was literally crawling on the floor.

Hanuma Vihari had one 30-plus score in his previous 10 Test innings. His place in the team was under the scanner. His right hamstring was injured. Even a minor movement came with a monumental struggle.

These two broken men were up against one of the best bowling attacks of all time in their backyard. They had to bat through over 40 overs to save a Test and keep alive their team’s chances of winning the series. Four more batters were to come. But three of them were hardly capable of the task. And, the capable one could not even peel a banana because of a broken thumb.

If this was a conventional sports drama, Ashwin and Vihari would have battled the pain and won the game for India. But a sporting contest is indifferent to such convenient narratives. There is drama but it is richer and far more complex than ones that are scripted. Because in sport, anything can happen.  

Yet, on a bright January evening that stretched the shadows on a spectator-less Sydney Cricket Ground last year, a fairytale unfolded. Ashwin and Vihari did not win the game for India. But, after batting, nah, battling for 258 balls, they drew the match, keeping India’s chances alive to win the series in Brisbane.

Time zones away, National Award-winning filmmaker Neeraj Pandey got a call. “This is a great story!” said a producer at the other end.

“No, the great story will happen when they win the fourth Test,” replied Neeraj impulsively.