Sporting icons : Ravi Shastri: The Champion All-Rounder and Iconic Voice of Indian Cricket - Career HLs , video

 




Introduction & Style of Play:
Ravishankar Jayadritha Shastri was born on May 27, 1962, in Mumbai, India. A tall, elegant cricketer, Shastri was a left-handed batsman and right-arm off-spin bowler known for his versatility and determination. He began his career as a left-arm spinner but gradually transformed into a dependable opening and middle-order batsman, making him one of India’s finest all-rounders of the 1980s and early 1990s. His style was characterized by grit, patience, and adaptability — not flashy, but supremely effective when the team needed him.

Career Highlights in Detail:
Ravi Shastri made his Test debut for India in 1981 against New Zealand at Wellington. Initially a bowler, he worked tirelessly on his batting to become an essential all-rounder. His most famous peak came during the 1985 World Championship of Cricket in Australia, where he was named the Champion of Champions for his all-round brilliance as India lifted the trophy.

Shastri was part of the legendary 1983 World Cup-winning squad, contributing key performances throughout the tournament. Though injuries and form saw his international career end by the early ’90s, he had cemented himself as one of the mainstays of Indian cricket during his time. Post-retirement, Shastri became a celebrated commentator and later served as India’s head coach, guiding the team to historic Test series wins overseas.

Test Record:

  • Matches: 80
  • Runs: 3,830
  • Batting Average: 35.79
  • 100s/50s: 11/12
  • Highest Score: 206
  • Wickets: 151
  • Bowling Average: 40.96
  • Best Bowling: 5/75

ODI Record:

  • Matches: 150
  • Runs: 3,108
  • Batting Average: 29.04
  • 100s/50s: 4/18
  • Highest Score: 109
  • Wickets: 129
  • Bowling Average: 36.04
  • Best Bowling: 5/15

First-Class Record:

  • Matches: 245
  • Runs: 13,202
  • Batting Average: 44.39
  • 100s/50s: 33/64
  • Wickets: 509
  • Bowling Average: 30.08
  • Best Bowling: 7/33



Some Best Innings Played (in Detail):

  • 206 vs. Australia, Sydney, 1992: His highest Test score, made against a strong Australian attack, showcased his resilience and determination to grind the opposition.
  • 142 vs. England , Mumbai, 1984: A match-changing  knock on a turning track, where Shastri stood tall to shape India's win .
  • 107 vs. West Indies, Bridgetown, 1989: A brilliant Test hundred against one of the best & most hostile bowling attacks of that era, demonstrating his growing confidence with the bat.

Some Great Bowling Spells:

  • 5/75 vs. Pakistan, Nagpur, 1983: His best Test bowling performance, coming in a high-pressure match, where his off-spin played a crucial role.
  • 5/15 vs. Australia, ODI, 1991: A remarkable ODI spell that crushed the Aussie middle order and helped India to a memorable win.
  • 3/30 vs. England, ODI, 1985 (World Championship of Cricket Final): A key performance in the semi final that underlined his all-round brilliance and won him the ‘Champion of Champions’ award.

Legacy:
Ravi Shastri’s legacy extends beyond his numbers. As a player, he epitomized versatility and was one of the few cricketers who could excel in multiple roles depending on the team’s needs.

Off the field, Shastri became an iconic commentator, known for his booming voice and memorable lines (including the famous “and Dhoni finishes it off in style!” during the 2011 World Cup). As India’s head coach from 2017–2021, he oversaw historic wins, including the first-ever Test series win in Australia and back-to-back series wins in Australia in 2021, along with India’s dominance in all formats.

Shastri’s name stands tall in Indian cricket as a symbol of adaptability, grit, and passion, leaving a legacy that spans across generations — from a fighting all-rounder on the pitch to a commanding leader off it.

Watch Shastri 's mammoth 206 vs Australia in 1991-92 Test series 

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