Honors and heartfelt nostalgia filled the night as the former India cricketer and World Cup champion, Ravi Shastri, basked in the accolades during the BCCI Awards ceremony held in Hyderabad on January 23. An illustrious commentary career, leadership as the men’s national team coach, and memories created on and beyond the pitch afforded a prime celebration of his over four-decade association with the sport. The highlight of the evening was Shastri’s receipt of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Amidst the glitz and sentimentality of the occasion, renowned cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle prompted Shastri to reflect on his extensive career and select one defining moment he would cherish upon waking up. Shastri’s response traversed the peaks of his tenure as a cricketer and commentator.
In a recollection imbued with the vigor of his characteristic commentary, Shastri reminisced about India’s 1985 victory in the final against Pakistan, a crowning achievement in Melbourne. He cast back to the iconic 1983 World Cup win at Lord’s, expressing the enduring emotion of witnessing India conquer the pinnacle of the cricketing world. Personal triumphs followed, with a century scored on the challenging pitches of West Indies and a double-century in Australia commemorated.
Transitioning from player to voice of cricket, Shastri narrated key moments such as Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s six to clinch the 2011 World Cup and India’s victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. Shastri emphasized the back-to-back Test series wins in Australia, marking moments of national pride. However, the consummate honor, the “icing on the cake” in Shastri’s words, was the final day at Brisbane’s Gabba Ground – when Rishabh Pant steered India to a historic win.
An outpour of emotion was evident as Shastri accepted the prestigious honor, extending heartfelt gratitude to the BCCI for its unwavering support. From a prodigious start at the age of 17 to the curtain call of his playing days at 30, BCCI loomed large over his formative years in cricket. Observing the Board’s transformation into a cricketing behemoth paralleled his own journey, making the award even more special for Shastri.
The event shone a spotlight not only on Shastri but also celebrated other titans of the game. The NAMAN awards resumed after a four-year hiatus, where former cricketer Farokh Engineer was honored for the 2019-2020 season, among others representing various achievements in the sport.
Ravi Shastri, the Col CK Nayadu Lifetime Achievement award winner for this season, took his place among the exemplary figures of Indian cricket, setting a benchmark for future generations. His passion and dedication embodied in his diverse roles as a player, commentator, and coach have cemented his legacy in the annals of Indian cricket history.
The BCCI Awards ceremony threaded together the dual narratives of individual excellence and collective progression in cricket. As champions past and present converged under the umbrella of these accolades, the evening was a testimony to the indomitable spirit and enduring splendor of cricket in India. Shastri’s saga, marked by fervor and triumph, serves as an inspiration, encapsulating the dreams and aspirations of millions of cricket enthusiasts across the nation.
