Ravi Shastri hails his 1985 Audi100 as 'national asset'

Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri walked down memory lane as he shared pictures of his iconic Audi100, which was awarded to him after being named Player of the Tournament in The Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket in 1985.

Shastri was part of the Indian team that defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in the finale to lift the memorable trophy. The former all-rounder had a tremendous tournament as he scored 182 runs, along with eight wickets in just five outings.

Shastri shared the story on his social media handle. “This is as nostalgic as it can get! This is a national asset. This is #TeamIndia’s @AudiIN @SinghaniaGautam,” tweeted Ravi Shastri.

This is as nostalgic as it can get! This is a 🇮🇳 national asset. This is #TeamIndia’s @AudiIN – @SinghaniaGautam 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/fkVITwTXw1

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) June 3, 2022

When you defeat Pakistan in a final, no one can ever forget it: Ravi Shastri

The former all-rounder revealed an incident with Javed Miandad in the game. The Indian team led by Sunil Gavaskar were closing in on the target. Shastri was on strike and was looking around to get the idea of the field placement, which is when he was dragged into a bit of banter by the Pakistani captain Miandad.

Miandad perked from mid-wicket after he caught Shastri glancing at the square leg boundary, where the Audi100 was stationed.

“Tu baar baar udhar kya deke raha hai” (Why are you looking there repeatedly?) he said in his characteristic lisp. “Gaadi ko kyun dekh raha hai?!” (Why are you looking at the car). Voh nahi milne waali hai tere ko! (You are not going to get it!),” Shastri told Indian Express.

“That’s when I had one proper look at it and told him, “Javed, meri taraf hi aa Rahi hai! (It’s coming my way, only!),” added Shastri.

The flamboyant batter recalls winning this car as the most memorable achievement of his glorified career. The win against Pakistan made it even sweeter for the Indian players and fans.

“As a recall factor, more than most things I have done in my life, this car stands at the top. The six sixes had a recall value, but this is the biggest in my career. The circumstances aligned: The timing of one-day cricket, day-and-night matches coming in from Australia, Channel 9 coming into India for the first time, 1983 was all whites, this was color clothing and that pristine telecast. And of course, when you get Pakistan in a final, no one can ever forget it – if you win it,” revealed the former Indian cricketer.