Ravi Shastri has announced that he will be leaving the Indian cricket team’s head coach post after the World cup T20 in UAE.
At this juncture, I wanted to reflect on what Ravi Shastri meant to Indian cricket since he made his debut. Ravi Shastri was never India’s best batsman or best bowler, or best fielder over a period.
However, what made him tick and what made him last for close to 40 years playing multiple roles in Indian Cricket?
Below are some of my thoughts:
The tough nut batsman
Ravi Shastri started in the Indian team as a lower-order batsman and later became an opener. His transition to the top of the order was partly due to his improving his batting ability and partly due to his teammates running away from the opener’s job.
The latter was particularly true during the away series. Ravi’s first Test century came as an opener against Pakistan in Pakistan facing Imran Khan. Ravi went on to make centuries in challenging conditions in West Indies, Australia, England and Pakistan. He scored tough runs against tough oppositions, no stat padding against minnows.
The able leader
Many reckon that Ravi Shastri is the best captain that India did not have. Ravi captained the Indian Test team for just one match, a memorable win against the West Indies in Madras. However, Ravi’s leadership came to the fore much after his playing days.
The horrors of Greg Chappell’s tenure and the embarrassing early exit from the 2007 World Cup left the Indian team down in morale.
India wanted someone to step up and pull the team out of the morass. Ravi Shastri accepted the post of team director and brought the team together. Even though his stint was short, he helped the Indian team get back on its feet.
Ravi Shastri’s more significant contribution as the coach came much later. Ravi’s combination with Virat Kohli saw the development of India’s long-term vision as an all-around Test team. It is not a coincidence that India has developed a strong squad of players who travel well and win abroad in this period.
Ravi Shastri (right) and Virat Kohli are Team India’s brains trust. (Matt King/Cricket Australia/Getty Images
The one who kept up with times
Indian teams of the past were not known for being great fielders, particularly out fielding. Ravi Shastri was one of the first Indian players to learn to slide while fielding.
To top it, he also had a solid arm to rocket the throw from the deep. Those were the days when most Indian outfielders would relay throw to the keeper while fielding in Australia.
The commentator
Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar were two of the first sets of Indian players who successfully moved into television commentary.
Ravi distinguished himself as a shrewd observer of the game and gave us some trademark phrases as well. Tracer bullet, the atmosphere is electric, and such memorable phrases served as Ravi’s identity behind the microphone. Apart from being a commentator, he stood out as a staunch supporter of Indian cricket wherever he went.
Over the past 40 years since his debut in 1981, Ravi has enjoyed a roller-coaster relationship with Indian fans. One cannot forget the brickbats he received for slow batting in some of the matches. However, none of those can deny the yeomen service that Ravi Shastri has provided to Indian Cricket.
Sanjay Manjrekar, in his book, Imperfect, has spoken glowingly at multiple places about Ravi’s outstanding contribution to Bombay cricket and Indian cricket. According to Sanjay, Ravi provided advice and help to anyone who approached him regarding cricket.
If I summed up Ravi Shastri’s contribution to Indian cricket, I would say that Ravi was the man for all seasons for Indian cricket.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
If you ever come back to Brissy, definitely get in touch with Warehouse cricket. You will love umpiring again for sure. The 5th rate loudmouths exist, but they are in the minority.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Another one is, might be a limited overs match and one side might get bowled out for 95, in 28 overs, with 4 lbws, then the target gets chased down in only 11 overs losing only 2 wickets, both lbws. The losing side has lost 40% of their wickets via the lbw mode of dismissal at the rate of one every 42 balls, while the victors lost 100% of their wickets that way, once ever 33 balls. Most players prolly have limited capacity for basic maths. There are other long innings that see no lbws.
Ian
Roar Rookie
I did 4 summers Umpiring in the QCA Grade Competition.I had to give it away as I've always loved the game but having to put up with the pathetic,childish behaviour from the players,families and useless supporters finally wore we down.I found I started hating the game and when you consider I was umpiring 5th rate loud mouths who simply couldn't play but had opinions on everything,I decided to give it away.Now,as I say,I love the game again and just enjoy seeing really good cricket,regardless of who's playing it.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
There are also days when a team will have three faint nicks to the keeper and I pick all three up … but ‘unfortunately’ for me as the umpire, all three batsmen walk of their own accord …
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Yeah I’m an umpire of 13 and a bit years, 27 seasons of both summer and winter in Brisbane warehouse. LBWs are overplayed. It’s just one of however many number of modes of dismissal. So one team gets 4 lbws the other only one or neither one … big deal, that only means the other team was dismissed by a greater percentage of one of the other modes of dismissal …perhaps they had spinners and a really good keeper who effected 4 stumpings. I have umpired games where one team got three opposition wickets lbws, their opposition none, but all three lbws were the same bowler who bowls right next to the stumps, does nothing with the ball and pitches it up so anytime the batsman misses it then it’s out. There are also batsman who often get out lbw … Shane Watson is the obvious example. Ricky Ponting tended to get out lbw after big scores … he scored a lot of runs in a big innings by planting his front foot in front of stumps and flicking his wrists to hit good balls through mid-wicket for four … after making 190 odd he was tired and would eventually miss one, but who cares, he has set his team up for victory. Players need to stop being churlish little kids about that mode of dismissal.
Ian
Roar Rookie
All umpires in those day were under the hammer.England played 6 tests against Australia in 1970 and didn't get a single LBW in the whole series! The impression of English umpires as the best has been seriously down grounded in recent years.It's a very difficult job and you get absolutely zero help from the players.They deserve every bad decision that comes that way.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Maybe he was just astonished an Indian umpire gave one of their own out fullstop, let alone in such a situation ... countries had some very unfavourable opinions of umpires in other countries in those days. The only umpires world wide that didn't cop any flak in them days were the English ones, universally considered to be the best in the world, mainly because they were the only full time professionals prior to close to the new century and millennium.
Ian
Roar Rookie
Border was fielding at silly point for that ball and if you google his expression,he simply couldn't believe the umpires decision...Not that he didn't love it though!
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
At 48, I hope I have reached your nirvana of emotional maturity in another 10 years down the line Ian ... :laughing:
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Actually, I wonder how many times has a number 11 hit the winning run/s in a test match ...
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
I've never heard those admissions. Shastri's fault either way for taking a single and the soft option of levelling the scores and leaving the number 11 exposed. He prolly thought at that point the worst possible scenario was a draw ...
Ian
Roar Rookie
I've said in previous comments that all I care about now is to see really good cricket.I truly couldn't care less who wins.At 58 years old,a good game,a contest is all that really matters to me.
Ian
Roar Rookie
Dean Jones did a Howie Games Podcast where he said Alan Border couldn't believe the LBW...Maninder absolutely smashed it...No one who played in that game doubts it...But they all seem pleased that they played in a wonderful,historic game of cricket.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Scottish hey? So does that mean you support Australia in the Ashes? 20 odd years ago I was living in Germany and met a father and son Scotchman. They said they supported Germany when England and Germany played each other at soccer.
Ian
Roar Rookie
Scottish...That explains my love for alcohol!
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
I saw somewhere else you are English born in Brisbane. I am from Queensland. What county are your parents from?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
206. A rare occasion when a double ton was overshadowed by a non double ton in same innings. 18 year old SRT 148 not out. Another occasion was Paul Collingwood, also 206 and the great KP 158 run out in Adelaide 2006-07.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Can you give me a YouTube link?
Ian
Roar Rookie
Mate,Maninder smashed it! If you look at the youtube clip the umpire had his finger up when the ball had barely left Matthews hand...what a great game of cricket though.
Ian
Roar Rookie
Ravi was Shane Warne's first and only wicket in Shane's debut Test.I think Ravi was 215 before he had a slog? Ravi was a great cricketer,seemingly a fine man and cricket should encourage him to stay in the game for as long as he want's to.