There was pride, happiness, emotion and excitement in Ravi Shastri’s eyes when he bagged Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award at BCCI Awards 2024 in Hyderabad. But all his emotions were reserved for one man Rishabh Pant and the way India clinched the Test series against Australia in Brisbane in the 2021-22 series after everyone wrote them off. In his own style, Shastri hailed the win as the icing on the cake in his coaching tenure.
“It is a special evening for me. To pick one moment is difficult, 1985 final vs Pakistan was special in Melbourne. 1983 when India when the World Cup. But in commentary, 2007 and 2011 when India won. But the icing on the cake was the last day at the Gabba when Rishabh Pant took us past the finishing line,” Ravi Shastri said at the BCCI Awards 2024.
Making Impossible Possible
India did the impossible. With injuries ruling out Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Hanuma Vihari, Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli returning home, India were left with just 12 players.
However, the youngsters of Team India created history. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant led the fightback to chase down 329 in Gabba to win the series 2-1.
During Ravi Shastri’s fairly successful tenure, India Cricket Team became a feared team outside home comforts. India won two series in Australia and almost beat England in England.
Shastri also created a pace bowling unit that is still one of the best in the world.
“It is a very touching moment. I started at 17 and finished at 30, BCCI were by guardian. There was pride in playing for the country. I saw the BCCI grow up in 40 years and become a powerhouse,” Ravi Shastri said in his acceptance speech.
