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In a star-studded evening at the BCCI Awards 2024 in Hyderabad, Ravi Shastri, the former head coach and veteran cricketer, was bestowed with the prestigious Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award. The event was not only a celebration of his illustrious cricketing career but also a reflection on the moments that defined his stellar journey.
Ravi Shastri’s storied career
Shastri, visibly emotional during the award ceremony, took a trip down memory lane, acknowledging the significant chapters of his cricketing saga. From his playing days, where he represented India in 80 Tests and 150 ODIs, to being an essential part of India’s historic 1983 World Cup triumph, Shastri’s contributions to Indian cricket are etched in the annals of the sport.
Mastering the art of commentary and coaching triumphs
Beyond his exploits on the field, Shastri seamlessly transitioned into the world of commentary, earning acclaim for his insightful analysis and eloquent commentary. His ability to articulate the nuances of the game endeared him to fans and solidified his status as one of the most respected voices in cricket.
Donning the hat of the head coach, Shastri was equally impressive as he guided the Indian cricket team through a phase of significant success. During his coaching tenure, Team India registered many historic and memorable victories.
Picking the pinnacle: Shastri names “icing on the cake” moment of his career
However, the highlight of the evening was when Harsha Bhogle, the presenter at the ceremony, posed a poignant question to Shastri – a moment he would remember if he woke up at 2 am. Shastri’s response resonated with cricket enthusiasts, as he recounted numerous memorable instances but ultimately chose a moment from his coaching career that he considered the “icing on the cake.”
The chosen moment was India’s historic triumph against Australia at the Gabba during the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21. Shastri expressed his gratitude to the players, especially singling out Rishabh Pant for his stellar performance that led the team to victory.
“It is a special evening for me. I think picking one would be difficult. But I will just go very quickly. You showed one that the 1985 final vs Pakistan was special in Melbourne. 1983 when India when the World Cup. But in commentary, 2007 when they won the T20 World Cup and 2011 when MS hit that ball for six. Two back to back wins in Australia. But the icing on the cake was the last day at the Gabba when Rishabh Pant took us past the finishing line. With Rishabh getting us home has to be the icing on the cake. And I thank my players for that.. all of them,” said Shastri.
𝘿𝙊 𝙉𝙊𝙏 𝙈𝙄𝙎𝙎!
Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award winner @RaviShastriOfc speaks about his "icing on the cake" moment 😃👌#NamanAwards pic.twitter.com/H1Ztd7SzkN
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 23, 2024
It is worth mentioning that the Gabba win not only marked a significant milestone in Shastri’s coaching career but also showcased the resilience and determination of the Indian cricket team that has been etched in the memories of cricket enthusiasts for lifetime.
Also READ: BCCI Awards: Here is the complete list of winners
Farokh Engineer joins the honours
The evening also saw another cricketing legend, Farokh Engineer, being honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his remarkable contribution to Indian cricket.
Shastri thanks BCCI and the cricket fraternity
Following the ceremony, Shastri, taking to Twitter, expressed his gratitude, humbled by the recognition from the BCCI and the cricketing fraternity.
Humbled at getting the Lifetime achievement award from my Guardians in my time as a player and my association since . 40 years only. Regards, RS. @BCCI @JayShah #NamanAwards pic.twitter.com/GbTmJVrH2O
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) January 24, 2024
