Ravi Shastri turns 59, A look at his journey from being star Indian all rounder to Team’s head coach

Former Indian Cricketer Ravi Shastri have had a successful career in different spheres of Cricketing world. Let us have a look at his dream journey from being match winner for team India in 1985 champions trophy to establishing himself as a big name in commentary panel and finally heading up to become the head coach of team India.

Cricket
By Arjun Singh
Image Credits: entertainmentcafe.net

Ravi Shastri, it’s the name of someone who was once called “Champion of Champions” at his cricketing career’s peak. Former Indian Legendary all-rounder who leads India to Champion’s trophy win in 1985 celebrates his 59th birthday today. His journey is no less than an inspiration for many youngsters.

While Shastri scored 6,938 runs across both Tests and ODIs and took 280 wickets in his international career, his dream run came during the 1985 Benson and Hedges World Championship. He was also a member of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning squad.

Ravi Shastri has set the benchmark in all spheres of the Cricketing world. His journey from leading India to win 1985’s champions Trophy to establishing himself as a star opening batsman who could also brilliantly bowl left-arm spin is fascinating. He started doing commentary soon after his retirement. He was seen as the face of Indian commentary along with Harsha Bhogle and Sunil Gavaskar.

His voice still resounds in our ears whenever we remember memorable moments in Indian cricketing history. May it be Yuvraj’s 6 sixes, India’s 2007’s T20 World Cup win, Sachin’s ODI 200, or India’s 2011 World Cup win; he never failed to entertain us with his amazing commentary.

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He was first appointed as team India’s manager in a tour to Bangladesh after Greg Chappell’s tenure ended. He was later named ‘Team Director’ in 2014. After Anil Kumble quit from Head Coach position in 2017, Shastri replaced him. Since 2017, he has been a constant guide for the young star-studded Indian side.

Let us have a look at all of his memorable moments

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1985 Benson and Hedges World Championship

The entire tournament of the 1985 World Championship was a dream point in Ravi Shastri’s career. The all-rounder managed to score 182 runs and take eight wickets. His performance played a decisive role in India’s winning run in the tournament and as a result of the team’s performance, the Indian team was also named ‘Team of Century by Wisden.

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In the finals of the tournament, the all-rounder not only took a wicket but also played a match-winning knock of 63 runs. He was unbeaten throughout the match and lead India to a dominant win by 8 wickets in the final against Pakistan. He was also named as man of the series for his incredible performance throughout the tournament.

Key Moments of Ravi Shastri’s Commentary Career

Soon after the retirement, Ravi  Shastri dedicated himself to cricket commentary. Here are all those memorable moments and their videos.

Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes

Yuvraj’s six sixes moment is one such unforgettable moment of the t20 world cup that will be cherished for ages. Ravi Shastri’s commentary in that over and especially of the final bowl in the over that went for six sixes was just astonishing.

During the India-England encounter back in the 2007 world cup, Yuvraj Singh Broad smashed Stuart Broad for six back-to-back sixes in an over. Interestingly, it was Andrew Flintoff who had sledded Yuvraj and it was Broad who paid the price.

Shastri was in the commentary panel back then. After Yuvraj completed his 6th and the final six of the over, Shastri uttered: “And he puts it into the crowd, six sixes in an over! Yuvraj Singh finishes things off in style!”

India’s 2007 T20 World Cup Winning Moment

Interestingly, In the finals of the t20 world cup back in 2007 Shastri was present there in the commentary panel.  India defeated Pakistan in a very close encounter that went through the final over.

Shastri’s words of the last ball still resound in our ears. He said in a very exciting way ” In the air, Sreesanth Takes it! India Wins! ”

Sachin Tendulkar’s double-century in ODIs

Sachin Tendulkar his maiden double century in ODI’s back in 2010. It was the time until when a double hundred in ODI’s was seen as an impossible thing. Shastri was part of another iconic moment as well.

“The first man on the planet to reach 200, and it’s a superman from India,” these were the words said by Shastri when the world celebrated Sachin Tendulkar’s 200.

India’s 2011 World Cup-winning moment

It was 2nd April 2011, which is still remembered as the most memorable day in Indian Cricket. India defeated Sri Lanka in the world Cup final to grab the World Cup trophy after 28 years. Indian captain MS Dhoni smashed the six off the final bowl of Nuwan Kulasekara and registered a win for Team India.

Shastri’s commentary at the moment and especially of the final bowl made that more memorable. ” Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd! India lifts the World Cup after 28 years,” these words from him still echo within us whenever we talk about the World Cup final.

Ravi Shashtri’s Journey as India’s head coach

After Greg Chappel’s tenure ended; Ravi Shastri was handed over the position of Cricket manager of team India for Bangladesh’s tour. Later he was named as team director in 2014 replacing  Duncan Fletcher. After India’s loss in the 2017 Champion’s trophy final, Anil Kumble quit as the team’s head coach and was replaced by Ravi Shastri.

Image Credits: The Quint

Since then he has been the permanent head coach of team India. Under his guidance, team India reached the Semi-finals of 2019’s World Cup. India also registered historic victories against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar trophy. His efforts are one of the major reasons that team India is currently at the no. 1 spot in ICC test rankings.

Now, India is all set to play the inaugural World Test Championship’s final against New Zealand. The final is scheduled from 18th June to 22nd June in Southampton.

Here were some of his accomplishments. Twitter is flooded by everyone who is wishing him a very happy birthday.

 

Arjun Singh

I'm an aspiring journalist who has a strong hold on mass communication and content writing . Moreover, I'm Specifically enthused about sports journalism .
Currently Journalist at Sports Digest and a student of Delhi School of Journalism .

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