Shastri was adjudged Player of the Series in India's 1985 WSC triumph.
India’s current chief coach Ravi Shastri, who is vividly remembered for his heroics in the Benson and Hedges World Championship of Cricket, has stated that the triumph in that particular global tournament is undoubtedly the best moment of his career.
Shastri, 55, had played an instrumental role with bat and ball throughout that tournament way back in 1985 in Australia. He had scored an unbeaten 63 in India’s 8-wicket victory in the final against arch-rivals Pakistan at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Moreover, the lanky all-rounder was adjudged Player of the Series.
“After the 1983 World Cup final, winning the World Championship of Cricket in Melbourne, and that too by beating arch-rivals Pakistan in emphatic style has to count as the best moment for me,” said Shastri while speaking at the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2017.
“The fact that it was the first day-night match shown on TV in India makes it more special. The recall value is also much greater especially because it was an India vs Pakistan final,” he added.
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Beside Shastri, India’s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was also there in the event. Jaitley opined that the current Indian team is far superior to Pakistan and also hailed Ravi for his standout performances in the 1985 World Championship of Cricket.
“Earlier to the credit of Pakistan, their team was a lot more competitive in comparison to the Indian team. Today, India is decisively a far stronger team than our neighbours,” Jaitley commented.
“Ravi has always fought on and worked very hard at his game. He began as a tail-ender and has batted in all positions in the line-up. The 1985 victory in Australia saw him bat as an opener,” he further said.
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The Finance Minister didn’t forget to acknowledge Shastri’s contribution to Indian cricket over the years, as a player and off the field.
“Ravi Shastri has never really retired from the game of cricket,” Jaitley said.
“He remains associated with the game for as long as his energy permits,” he concluded.