Indian cricket team coach Ravi Shastri
Indian cricket team coach Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri is probably one of the most direct talkers in international cricket. He is not known for being bashful in speaking his mind honestly. The same thing happened at the unveiling of Sandeep Patil’s autobiography, Beyond Boundaries, which he wrote after winning the 1983 World Cup and serving as head of the BCCI selectors. During the book launch for Sandeep Patil, one of the panelists questioned Shastri about an incident during an international tour when Shastri and Patil were roommates. The panelist inquired whether it was true that the hotel’s room service representative was shocked by the amount of food ordered by the duo. Shastri answered in the positive.

“We used to get far more than any of today’s Test cricketers (sarcastically). We were the only couple who didn’t make any money. So, when I finished a Test match and returned home, my father would ask me, ‘What’s the money for a Test match?’ It would be some spare change, because we would feast like pigs. “I’m not surprised that guy was surprised,” Ravi Shastri stated in response.

“What about the liquid?” the panelist inquired.

“Never short of that. We were thirsty from a very early age. Ravi Shastri responded, “If the game ends at 5:30, the wet wicket will begin at 6:30.” Meanwhile, Sandeep Patil expressed faith in the Indian cricket team’s capacity to repeat their previous triumph against Australia in the next Test series. Reflecting on India’s recent results, Patil emphasized the significance of consistency and the lessons acquired during the New Zealand series.

“India fought really well in the final pair of Test series, although the series between Ireland and New Zealand’s team was an alertness call,” Patil tells ANI, emphasizing the need of the squad remaining watchful and prepared. Patil has played 29 Tests and 45 One-Day Internationals for India, scoring 1,588 and 1,005, respectively. He acknowledged the difficulties encountered during the New Zealand series, but remained confident about India’s chances.

“The Indian team collectively has shown amazing consistency, so I believe the team will build on its performance from the last Aussie tour,” Patil said, emphasizing his confidence in the team’s ability to deliver excellent performances on foreign terrain.