Ravi Shastri Recalls Banter With Javed Miandad During The 1985 World Championship Of Cricket Final

Ravi Shastri. former all-rounder-turned commentator and the current head coach of the Indian cricket team, has revealed a banter that he had with Pakistan legend Javed Miandad with regards to winning the Audi in the 1985 World Championship of cricket.

The 1985 World Championship was undeniably one of the shining moments of Ravi Shastri’s decade long career. The all-rounder was one of the spearheads behind India winning the tournament, just two years after their World Cup triumph at Lord’s.

Shastri was at the height of his powers as an all-rounder throughout the tournament. In 5 games, the Indian all-rounder not only claimed eight wickets at an average of 20.75 but also scored 182 runs at an average of 45.50 with the help of three centuries.

Shastri claimed one wicket besides scoring an unbeaten 63 to help India beat arch-rivals Pakistan by eight wickets in the titular clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Shastri was eventually adjudged the ‘Player of the Series’ and he walked home with a brand new Audi 100 sedan. Recalling the banter with Javed Miandad, who was also in the race for the Audi, during a conversation with Rajdeep Sardesai for ‘Sony Ten Pit Shop’.

“He had no chance of getting the Audi. But he had to needle me so that I would get distracted. I mean, when we played against each other, there was constant chat between Javed and me. There will always be needling,” Ravi Shastri said.

He added: “He was a great player, he was a great competitor. He would go to any level to get under your skin and make sure you’re distracted. He had no chance in that final. My eyes were on that car. Even though he might have wanted to distract me, he had no bloody chance.”

Also Read: When Javed Miandad Threw Ravi Shastri In The Swimming Pool While Playing Holi During The 1987 India-Pakistan Test

‘If I get the car, I am keeping it’- Ravi Shastri

Shastri also revealed that before the tournament, there was actually a team meeting to discuss what happens if they get the car. The former all-rounder revealed that he had put forward his view bluntly that if he wins the car, he won’t be sharing it.

“I said that (the car will be mine) before the tournament. There was a team meeting where we discussed what happens if we get the car. I think it was Kapil who said ‘If I get car, 25 percent I keep, rest share’. Jimmy came and said ‘whoever gets it, gets it’.

“When my turn came I said ‘If I get the car, I am keeping it. The stepnie in the back seat of the car, that I am prepared to share’. For all the years, the fridges, the washing machines and the air conditioners that came, that just disappeared. So why suddenly when a car comes, you’re thinking of sharing. I was pretty straightforward,” Ravi Shastri said.

Ravi Shastri also reckoned that the 1985 side would give the current Indian team a run for their money.

Also Read: World Championship-winning Team Of 1985 Can Give Current India Side A Run For Their Money: Ravi Shastri