The curious case of Ravi Shastri, a man who played in three World Cups, 1983, 1987 and 1992, never fails to fascinate me. As a cricketer he was a classic case in contrast. A committed professional to core, who played a key role in many Indian victories. He earned the title "Champion of the Champions", yet at occasions received severe brickbats from both Press and Public. As a lanky 19 year old he arrived on scene as a specialist left arm spinner, a replacement to the injured Dillp Doshi during New Zealand tour of 1980. He never looked back since. Slowly he climbed the ladder to earn himself the position of opening batsman, still retaining his spot as a bowler.
His performance in his World Cup debut in 1983 did not start badly. In the initial group game he handsomely contributed to the first victory by India who handed out West Indies their first defeat in World Cup history by polishing off the Windies tail. His performance in the next few matches was at best forgettable, perhaps resulting in him getting replaced by Kirti Azad. One can never ignore the fact that he was still part of the pack famously known as "Kapil's Devils".
When it was time for the World Cup 1987 to be held on Indian subcontinent, Ravi Shastri had matured into a prominent, indispensable member of the Indian squad. Though Kapil Dev was the more popular and better known all rounder, Shastri carved his niche as a batsman who could rotate strikes and strike as an economy bowler. Yet on the Diwali day when the nation expected an Indian victory over Australia as the perfect Diwali gift, the hosts lost by the smallest of margins, just one run. Shastri who scored 8 out of 7 balls at the fag end of the chase was blamed by many of this narrowest of narrow defeat.
He was also in our 1992 World Cup team, the last time the Cup was held in the land Down Under. India lost a crucial match to Australia, yet again by a solitary run. A spirited chase by Azharuddin and Manjrekar was undone by the ridiculous rule due to rain interruption. Shastri played a dreadful slow innings in that match, scoring 25 out of 67 balls. The Indian fans back home blamed the defeat squarely on him. In many places including his hometown Bombay, they vented their anger by burning his effigy after being garlanded it with CHAPPALs (sleepers). The mood of our fans can swing faster than pendulum. One day they put you on the pedestal, showering with roses. The next day they can shower you with shoes. No one perhaps has gone through this charade more than Ravi Shastri. When he returned as "The Champion of Champions" from Australia in 1985 he was so overloaded with garlands that his face was barely visible. Ironically, the wheel of fortune had turned full circle for him a few years down the road.
Now Shastri is very much part of the current Indian cricket team touring Down Under, this time as Director of the squad. His trips earlier had resulted in both bouquets (1985) and brickbats (1992). Only time will tell what direction the needle of compass would point to with his director's role. Chances are, history could repeat itself again, one way or other.
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