Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri
Shastri in May 2019
Personal information
Full name
Ravishankar Jayadritha Shastri
Born (1962-05-27) 27 May 1962 (age 62)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Height1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
BattingRight-handed
BowlingSlow left-arm orthodox
RoleBatting all-rounder
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 151)21 February 1981 v New Zealand
Last Test26 December 1992 v South Africa
ODI debut (cap 36)25 November 1981 v England
Last ODI17 December 1992 v South Africa
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1979–1993Bombay
1987–1991Glamorgan
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 80 150 245 278
Runs scored 3,830 3,108 13,202 6,383
Batting average 35.79 29.04 44.00 31.12
100s/50s 11/12 4/18 34/66 6/38
Top score 206 109 217 138*
Balls bowled 15,751 6,613 42,425 11,966
Wickets 151 129 509 254
Bowling average 40.96 36.04 44.00 32.18
5 wickets in innings 2 1 18 5
10 wickets in match 0 0 3 0
Best bowling 5/75 5/15 9/101 5/13
Catches/stumpings 36/– 40/– 141/– 84/–
Medal record
Men's Cricket
Representing  India
ICC Cricket World Cup
Winner 1983 England and Wales
ACC Asia Cup
Winner 1984 United Arab Emirates
Winner 1990-91 India
Representing  India as Coach
ICC World Test Championship
Runner-up 2019-2021
Source: Cricinfo, 6 September 2008

Ravishankar Jayadritha Shastri (born 27 May 1962) is an Indian cricket commentator, former professional cricketer and head coach of the India national cricket team. As a player, he played for the India national cricket team between 1981 and 1992 in both Test matches and One Day Internationals. Although he started his career as a left arm spin bowler, he later transformed into a batting all-rounder. Shastri was a member of the Indian team that won the 1983 Cricket World Cup. He won the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award at the Indian cricket team annual award show NAMAN in 2024.

As a cricketer, Shastri was essentially defensive with his trademark "chapathi"[1][2] (a flick off the pads), but he could raise his strike rate when required. Due to his above-average height (he stood 6' 3" tall) and an upright stance, he had a limited number of shots against fast bowling, but was able to put the lofted shot to good use against spin bowling. Ravi played either as an opening batsman or in the middle order.

The highlight of his career was when he was elected Champion of Champions in the World Championship of Cricket in Australia in 1985. In the same season, on 10 January 1985,[3] he equaled West Indian Garry Sobers's record of hitting six sixes in an over in first class cricket. He was regarded as a potential captain, but his image outside cricket,[4] injuries and tendency to lose form at crucial times meant that he captained India in only one Test match.

In domestic cricket, he played for Bombay and led them to the Ranji Trophy title in his final year of playing. He also played four seasons of county cricket for Glamorgan. He was forced to retire aged 31 due to a recurring knee injury. He has done commentary on behalf of BCCI in the matches that India play.[5] In 2014, he became the director of Indian cricket team for a period of eight months from India's tour of England until the 2015 World Cup. On 13 July 2017, he was appointed as the head coach of Indian cricket team.[6] On 16 August 2019, he was re-appointed as the head coach of the senior men's Indian team and remained in charge until the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup.[7]

  1. ^ "Some interesting trademark shots". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 14 July 2001. Archived from the original on 19 August 2003. Retrieved 2 May 2007.
  2. ^ "Restraint is the essence". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 January 2005. Retrieved 2 May 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ "10th January 1985: Ravi Shastri Hits-Six-Sixes-in-an-Over"
  4. ^ Raju Bharatan, "Ravi Shastri : Always 'on the ball'", Special Portrait, Indian Cricket 2002.
  5. ^ "Ravi .Shastri".
  6. ^ "Ravi Shastri appointed Head Coach". BCCI. 11 July 2017. Archived from the original on 14 July 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  7. ^ "Ravi Shastri to continue as India head coach". Cricbuzz. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.