Happy Birthday Ravi Shastri: Here are the 4 best performances by the former Indian all-rounder

Former Indian all-rounder Ravi Shastri is having a decent stint as the head coach of Team India across formats. Besides being a colourful commentator, he also had a brilliant career as an all-rounder, as we take a look at some of them on his 59th birthday.

Ravi Shastri is currently recognised as one of the most impactful coaches of Team India to date. As he has led India to the top of Test cricket, he would be aiming at helping the side win the world championship of the format.

However, before all of it, Shastri made a name for himself as an all-rounder for Team India, having played numerous great innings with the bat. Although he later also shined as a colourful commentator, his glory days with Team India is best recalled by the fans.

Meanwhile, Shastri is celebrating his 59th birthday on Thursday. In the same light, we look at four of his memorable innings with the bat.

121 vs Pakistan (Karachi 1983)
One of the significant tests of Shastri's career came early on when he was up against Australia and the rivalry was highly intense back then. In 1983, Shastri played his first-ever Test against Pakistan against its formidable bowling attack. However, there was hardly any pressure on him as he played a swift innings as an opener despite other batsmen struggling. He played a cool-headed innings of 128, while Dilip Vengsarkar later supported him. Although India managed 393 batting first, the side fought hard to settle for a draw.

51 vs Australia (World Championship 1985)
It has to be one of the most defining innings of Shastri's career. During the World Championship match against Australia in 1985 in Melbourne, Shatri played a decent knock of 51, chasing a moderate total of 163. However, judging by the brute force Australia was back then, Shastri's innings was highly applauded by all, as it led to a 124-run opening stand along with Krishamachari Srikanth. While India won the game by eight wickets, it charged up Shastri for the entire series. He produced a defying performance to claim the Man of The Championship award and be awarded the luxurious Audi car.

187 vs England (Oval 1990)
Shastri had already made his mark as an impactful opener by now. Playing in England during The Oval Test in 1990, Shastri was up against a solid English bowling attack, like Devon Malcolm, Angus Fraser, Neil Williams and Eddie Hemmings. However, Shastri played fearlessly, playing an intimidating knock of 187, while India posted a substantial total of 606/9. It put pressure on England as it could manage just 340 in the first innings before being enforced a follow-on, as the host managed to draw the Test.

206 vs Australia (Sydney 1992)
In the final year of his international career, Shastri managed to leave his mark again. Playing a Test in Sydney in 1992, Shastri scored his maiden and only Test double ton (206), including 17 fours and a couple of sixes. Also, it was his 196-run stand along with Sachin Tendulkar that played a pivotal role in India's innings. He also claimed four wickets later, helping India come closer to a win, but the host managed to pull off a frustrating draw.

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