Ravi Shastri

Date Of Birth: May 27,1962

Ravi Shastri is a all-round cricket player for India. His all-round abilities with the bat and the ball made him the main stay of the Indian cricket team in the 1980′s. Ravi Shastri was born on May 27, 1962 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. His complete name is Ravishankar Jayadritha Shastri. He was mainly a opening batsman and a show left arm orthodox bowler for India. Early in his carrier he was purely a bowler. But his batting ability took him from down 10th place to opening batsman.

In 1985, in the World Championship of cricket in Australia, Ravi Shastri was awarded as the man of the series for his 182 runs and 8 wickets. He was named the ‘ Champion of Champions ‘ for his consistent performance. He hit six sixes in an over in a domestic match equaling Garry Sober’s record.

Ravi Shastri captained Indian in one Test match. He has 100% record as captain as India won that match. In the domestic circuit, he played for Mumbai and led them to the Ranji Trophy title. He played the County cricket for Glamorgan.

Ravi Shastri’s father, Jayadratha is a doctor. He studied in Don Bosco school in Matunga. He graduated in commerce from R.A. Podar college. He was then the youngest player to be selected to play for Bombay at 17 years and 292 days.

In 1980-81, Ravi Shastri made his international Test debut against the New Zealand in the 1st Test at Basin Reserve, Wellington. He took 3 wickets in four balls in the second innings. He took seven wickets in the third Test and was awarded the man of the match. He overall took 15 wickets in the series which was the highest for both the sides.

Ravi Shastri had a good debut Test series against New Zealand. In the following months, he was promoted from the tenth position to the opening batsman. In 1982, Shartri opened the innings for India against England. He scored 66 runs patiently in the match. He scored his first century against Pakistan in the final Test at Karachi. He scored his second century against the mighty West Indies in Antigua.

In 1981-82, Ravi Shastri made his ODI debut against England at Sardar Vallabhai Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad. In the 1983 India’s World Cup triumph, Shastri played fewer matches.

In India’s tour of Pakistan in 1984, Shastri scored 102 against Australia. In December, he scored another century against England at Cuttack. In the Test match against England in Bombay, Shastri along with Syed kirmani recorded a seventh wicket partnership of 235 runs. Shastri made 111 runs in the third Test against England at Calcutta.

In 1986-87, Shastri scored 62 and 48 not out against visiting Australians in the tied Test at Bombay. In the home Test series against Pakistan, Shastri scored 125 runs at Jaipur. In the One-day series, he scored 50 runs and took 3 wickets in the first match. He captured 4 wickets at Calcutta and scored 69 not out against Pakistan at Hyderabd. He scored 52 runs in just 40 deliveries at Nagpur. Shastri had a marvelous One-day series and was awarded the man of the series.

In the away Test series against West Indies in 1989, Shastri scored a commendable 107 not out against the likes of Ian Bishop, Curtly Ambrose, Malcolm Marshall and Courtney Walsh on a difficult pitch. This was undoubtedly the best innings Shastri played.

In 1990, Shastri scored two splendid centuries against England in the away series. He scored 100 at lords in the first. In the Oval Test, he scored 187 runs against the England’s formidable bowling line-up. In 1991, Ravi Shastri scored his fourth century of 101 not out against South Africa in an ODI match at Delhi. Ravi Shastri scored his only double century of 207 runs against Australia in the away series in 1991.

In September 1994, Ravi Shastri retired from all forms of cricket. Post retirement, Shastri he become a leading commentator for ESPN-Star sports channel. In 2007, Ravi Shastri was made the Manager of the Indian cricket team for the Bangladesh tour. Shastri played 80 Tests for India scoring 3830 runs at a decent average of 35.79 and taking 151 wickets. He scored 3108 runs at an average of 29.04 and 129 wickets from 150 One-day Internationals.

In August 20, 2005, joining hands in a unique partnership with UNICEF, Ravi Shastri who is a Good will Ambassador for UNICEF India, met with a group of orphaned and vulnerable children from a local children’s home in Durban, South Africa to learn about some of the children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Awards

- 1984 – Arjuna Award by the Indian Government