Brief profile of Ravi Shastri by Dr.A.K.Hignell

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Player:

RJ Shastri

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Ravi Shastri was the first Indian Test cricketer to play for Glamorgan. His aggressive and elegant batting, coupled with his steady left-arm spin, were important elements in Glamorgan`s success in the one-day form of county cricket during the late 1980's and early 1990's.

 

He had made his first-class debut as a 17 year old in Indian domestic cricket in 1980, and in 1980/81 Shastri made his Test debut against New Zealand. He subsequently appeared in 80 Tests and 150 One Day Internationals, besides being “Player of the Tournament” in the 1984/85 World Championship of Cricket in Australia.

 

Shastri also holds the world record for the fastest ever double century in first-class cricket, having hit 200* off just 123 balls in only 113 minutes for Bombay against Baroda in the Ranji Trophy at Bombay. During this career best performance, Shastri hit thirteen sixes, including six in an over from Tilak Raj.

 

The Indian struck six first-class centuries for the Welsh county, including 157 against Somerset at Cardiff in 1988, 127 and 101* in the match against Middlesex at Abergavenny in 1989, and 133* against Lancashire at Liverpool in 1991. He retired from first-class cricket in 1994 and is now a well-known cricket commentator on television and radio.

 

(December 2003)

 

(Article: Copyright © 2003 Dr.A.K.Hignell)