At the Fox Footy office in Melbourne’s Southbank, former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri saunters through—still like the batsman of elegance (yet aggressive) he once was.
Melbourne is a familiar space and Australia a country he has been visiting for the past 40 years. This year his visit is tinged with some sadness given that Shane Warne, with whom he shared “fond memories” and friendship is no longer there.
With the T20 World Cup 2022 well underway in Australia, the former head coach of the India national cricket team, and former captain of Indian Cricket Team, who has been in the commentary box for 25 years now, says he will miss broadcasting with Warne, a cricketer much loved in Australia. Warne passed away this March.
“I am sure the banter would have been great for the viewers as well; he was a global icon. He was one of those characters you will get once in 100 years, he was phenomenal with the sport. Sad for someone at 52 to go,” Shastri tells The Indian Sun.
While hedging his bets on who wins the T20 World Cup 2022 (see below), he says, “It’s going to be fabulous. The gap between the teams has narrowed considerably. As a result, any team dropping its guard on a given day could pay the price for it. So, no teams will take things for granted.”
In a freewheeling conversation, Shastri also shares his thoughts on the following.
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Team India’s challenges
India is used to playing in Australia. They have been coming here for the past six-seven years and are one of the teams that have played better cricket than most, when it comes to Australia. So, the familiarity will help but having said that, they have had some injuries and are missing some key players. The pressure, therefore, will be on the fielding and bowling especially within 20 overs.
This is as strong a batting line up as you will get. Maybe after this World Cup when the emphasis will be on 50 over cricket, then India can look in the direction you are talking about, which is pick up a new team like in 2007 when it comes to T20.
Shastri’s top four
My best four in the semis are England, Australia, India and Pakistan.
We’ve talked about the four and India reaching the semis, but if any of these teams drop their guard, someone from the outside can come in.
And watch out for South Africa. They are a team that could threaten and surprise you. They are the dark horse. Very much.
India Pakistan rivalry
It is intense and still there because the expectations are too much. With close to two billion combined population of India and Pakistan, the expectation is too much that it obviously is the most-awaited game. The pressure indirectly will be on the players as well.
As to Pakistan threatening to quit the Asia Cup if India doesn’t play in Pakistan, he says, “That’s a political issue. We don’t get involved in that. It’s for people at the highest level to decide. I don’t think players get involved in it at all, they will play wherever they are asked to.”
On commentary
“I have always enjoyed commentary; I go with the flow of the sport. What I sound like and how I have changed—you should ask the viewer, more than anything else (laughs). But I speak on what I see, basically.”
Indian women’s cricket
Women’s cricket in India has changed massively and around the globe. I see India not that far away from winning the world cup, it’s a big event waiting to happen. They are threatening, it’s just a matter of time before they pull off a big one—and that will change the game forever in India.
Love for Australia
I have been coming here for over 40 years now. There’s never a dull moment, let’s put it that way. Australians play it tougher than anybody else. As a player, as a coach and even when you are broadcasting—I have seen it all. The adrenalin really pumps, and nothing gives you more job satisfaction than when you perform in this country.
Australia is like the home of sports in many ways and there is so much to learn. Every top sport comes to Melbourne, whether it is footy, Formula One, cricket, or rugby. I feel when you look at the facilities and the emphasis that is laid on sports here is great for other countries to emulate, especially from the Asian subcontinent. It is the culture, a way of life, something that is ingrained into you from a very young age. If you grow up with those facilities, you can get the best out of yourself.
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Future projects & digital platforms
I have just finished seven years as coach of team India. I am back in the television part of it, so I will focus on that. There is so much of cricket happening, there are new platforms coming in and the media game with Kayo in India, there are a lot of digital guys who have come into play—you saw that with the latest IPL rights that went up, there were some phenomenal numbers there so that is the future which I will get actively involved with.
And of course, in the meta space that should be fun. Just a student now and am trying to understand that. But that’s the future. It is a place where you can create those players in the metaverse and have games being played on real exciting platforms. Just like you first had the radio, then television, this will be the futuristic format.
I haven’t collected any NFTs, I am my own NFT.
The digital platform is the way to go. It is exploding in India, and I am glad to be part of Kayo at an early stage. Hopefully this partnership will grow.
(You can watch every match of the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup on Fox Cricket, available live and ad-break free during play on Kayo Sport)
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At the Fox Footy office in Melbourne’s Southbank, former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri @RaviShastriOfc saunters through—still like the batsman of elegance (yet aggressive) he once was. 🏏 #TheIndianSun #Cricket #ICCT20WorldCup2022 https://t.co/VF9QFgNw7M
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