Ravi Shastri: The man who changed India’s fortunes in Tests
Ravi Shastri was one of the finest all-rounders and made a tremendous impact in Indian cricket in the 80s and 90s with his unique playing style. In his 11-year cricketing career from 1981 to 1992, he scored 3,830 and 3,108 runs from 80 Tests and 150 One Day Internationals and also picked up 151 and 129 wickets respectively.
Ravi Shastri was an integral part of India’s 1983 World Cup triumph at Lord’s and in the World Championship of Cricket down under in 1985 where he was awarded the famous Audi car as an award after being named the Player of the Tournament. However, India also went on to enjoy huge success in red-ball cricket under his coaching stint.
Ravi Shastri: The pioneer behind India’s Test success
Shastri took over the reins from spin legend Anil Kumble who had stepped down as head coach in a controversial manner post the ICC Champions Trophy in June 2017. Since the Mumbai cricketer’s India coaching stint from July 2017 to November 2021, the Men In Blue went on to suffer three away Test series defeats – South Africa (2017/18), England (2018/19) and New Zealand (2019/20).
However, the Indian team remained unconquerable on home soil in Test cricket and also did the unthinkable by beating Australia in their own backyard not once but twice (2018/19 and 2020/21). It was the second series win that stood out the most with regular skipper Virat Kohli leaving midway for the birth of his first child and many injury concerns in the squad that forced a depleted Indian side to field a third-string team.
Despite all the hurdles, the Ajinkya Rahane-led side showed a never-say-die attitude and succeeded in registering a 2-1 series win after losing the Adelaide Test where they registered their lowest Test total of 36. Meanwhile, India also breached Australia’s fortress the ‘Gabba’ after 32 years.
Under Shastri’s tenure, India also made the finals of the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship where they lost to New Zealand. Nonetheless, a spirited Virat Kohli & Co. staged a remarkable comeback in the subsequent England series with famous wins at Lord’s and Oval to take a 2-1 lead in the inconclusive five-match series.
England won the rescheduled fifth Test match and the series ended in a draw 2-2. More importantly, under Shastri’s term, India found a solid wicketkeeper in Rishabh Pant in Tests who also set a benchmark for himself with consistent middle-order performances. Apart from that, the Indian pacers especially pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah showcased consistent performances in overseas conditions, especially in SENA countries.
