Ravi Shastri - India's Most Iconic Cricket Commentator

Sprots are a thing which when is a part of a person's life will stay with that person forever. The same is with cricket, where many professionals turn into coaches or other support staff to continue their association with the sport. And not usually does it happen that a cricketer is know for some other career related to the sport than his career in the game itself. This is the story of Ravi Shastri's life, one of India's finest cricket players and the former coach of the Indian cricket team on the pitch, and an even finer commentator off the pitch. 

In this article by ZAP, let's know more about Ravi Shastri, his career, his stats and records and some of his iconic commentaries ever. 

Ravi Shastri - Early life and domestic cricket career

Ravi Shastri was born on 27 May, 1962 in Mumbai and is currently 62 years old. He went to Don Bosco High School and led his school team to their first time victory in Giles Shield. a very popular inter - school cricket tournament in Mumbai. He used to practice day in and day out in the maidans of Mumbai and at a very young age of 17, he was made of part of the Ranji Trophy team for Bombay. He was the youngest player to make a first class cricket debut back then. 

Shastri’s performance in the domestic circuit was commendable and even led the Mumbai team to the Ranji Trophy title. He also is a part of a rare record of hitting six sixes in an over when he did this against Tilak Raj from Baroda in the 1985-86 season.

Ravi Shastri - International Cricket Debut, Career and Stats

Ravi started his career as left arm spinner who later turned into a batting all rounder. He made his Indian team debut after Dilip Joshi got injured. On 21 February, 1981 he played his first Test match against New Zealand. Same year, he made his ODI debut as well, which was on 25 November, 1981 versus England. 

Throughout his career, he played many crucial innings and helped India win some really tricky matches. He made decent contributions and was a par of India's 1983 World Cup Triumph at Lord's. He was just 21 during that World Cup, in which he played 5 matches, picking up 4 wickets and scoring 40 runs.

For a long time, Ravi was the deputy to Kapil Dev and during the latter’s absence even captained the Indian Cricket Team. 

Today’s generation isn’t much aware about his batting technique and style. He was a player with a powerful demeanour who always fought his way through tough situations. After being a part of the national team for more than a decade, Shastri played his last ODI on 17 December, 1992 vs South Africa and his last test match on 26 December, 1992 versus South Africa. 

Ravi Shastri Stats - Run and Wickets

Ravi Shastri was an important all rounder for the Indian team in the 1990s and has impressive statistics in both Test and ODI formats. Over his career, he played a total of 230 matches, scoring 6938 runs with 30 fifties and 15 centuries. As a bowler, he took 280 wickets, with his best bowling figures being 5/15.

Ravi Shastri - Tenure as the Coach of the Indian Cricket Team 

In 2014, Ravi Shastri was made the director of the Indian cricket team for eight months by the BCCI. Later, he was also given the job of the head coach of the Indian Cricket Team from 2017-2021. His tenure saw the rise of Virat Kohli as the captain and India's dominance in the Test Cricket Format. India beat Australia twice down under in the Border Gavaskar Trophy under Ravi Shastri as the head coach. Though his tenure didn't see India lift an ICC Trophy, he was considered as a successful appointment. 

Ravi Shastri - The Most Iconic Commentaries

Over the years, Ravi Shastri has given voice to some of the most memorable moments in Indian cricket. Known for his straightforwardness, charismatic presence, and dynamic commentary style, Shastri has a way of turning great cricketing moments into unforgettable experiences for fans. Here are five of his most iconic commentary moments:

1. Dhoni’s Iconic Six in the 2011 World Cup Final
   As MS Dhoni hit the winning six in the 2011 World Cup final, Shastri’s words echoed the sentiment of a billion fans:
   “Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd. India lift the World Cup after 28 years. The party starts in the dressing room and it’s an Indian captain who’s been absolutely magnificent in the night of the final.”

2. India’s Victory in the 2007 T20 World Cup Final
   In the thrilling final moments of the 2007 T20 World Cup against Pakistan, Shastri’s voice captured the excitement as India claimed the title:
   “In the air, Sreesanth takes it, India win! Unbelievable scenes here at the bull ring!”

3. Sachin Tendulkar’s Historic Double Century
   When Sachin Tendulkar became the first cricketer to score a double century in ODIs in 2010, Shastri's commentary immortalized the moment:
   “Gets it. First man on the planet to reach 200. And it’s the superman from India - Sachin Tendulkar. 200 from 147. Take a bow master.”

4. Yuvraj Singh’s Six Sixes in an Over
   During the 2007 T20 World Cup, Yuvraj Singh smashed Stuart Broad for six sixes in a single over. Shastri’s enthusiastic commentary captured the sheer brilliance of the feat:
   “Aaaand he’s put it away or has he? Yes – into the crowd. Six sixes in an over. Yuvraj Singh finishes things in style. The first time it’s happened in 20-20.”

5. VVS Laxman’s Heroics in the 2010 Mohali Test
   In a nail-biting finish, India secured a one-wicket victory over Australia, thanks to VVS Laxman’s heroic innings. Shastri’s words vividly painted the dramatic conclusion:
   “Gets it away. Could this be a win for India? They go back for the second. It’s India that have won the Test match. A famous win. Unbelievable scenes in Mohali. VVS Laxman is the hero for India. The team will run out onto the park. Ricky Ponting will have to wait for his first-ever Test win in India. But these are scenes that you will never forget. Out of nowhere.”

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