Ravi Shastri, former India cricketer-turned-commentator, is famous for his booming voice and quotes during tosses in international and IPL games. His introductions of players have become popular on social media.
This time, it was not a cricketer, but England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, who received the special introduction treatment from Ravi Shastri. Before Birmingham Phoenix's The Hundred match versus Welsh Fire at Edgbaston, the former India captain greeted Bellingham, causing the home crowd to scream.
Before the toss, Bellingham entered the outfield with Welsh Fire captain Phil Salt and Birmingham Phoenix captain Donovan Ferreira. Later, the 22-year-old spent time posing for pictures and signing autographs with fans, many of whom had gathered around the boundary eager to see the football player from Birmingham.
Videos of Shastri's enthusiastic, crowd-hyping welcome to Bellingham, which IPL and cricket fans worldwide are accustomed to, went viral on social media.
The former India head coach later shared photographs with Bellingham on social media, calling the England international "Birmingham's own galactico."
The pair also shared one of the day's lighter moments after Bellingham signed a cap for Shastri. "I wouldn't have been allowed home without it," Shastri laughed, revealing that the autograph was actually for his daughter.
