Sunil Gavaskar didn't 'catch' me drinking before telling me to open in 1982: Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri is one of most influential personalities as far as cricket is concerned. Since Ravi Shastri's arrival in cricketing fraternity, it’s hard to recollect a time period when he wasn’t an instrumental part of Indian cricket. As a cricketer,  manr-cum-coach of Indian team or even as a broadcaster, Shastri is associated with many moments which Indian fans cant forget till date.

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Ravi Shastri loves taking up new challenges and exploring new horizons in life and he certainly is one of greatest figures in Indian cricket. former India captain, who is currently head coach of India, is often mocked for his infamous habits off field. It is widely believed in cricketing fraternity that Ravi Shastri loves hard drinks and never misses a chance to enjoy it off field. Ravi Shastri narrated an amusing anecdote from his playing days on a chat show.

Ravi Shastri reveals interesting incident from 1982 series against Pakistan

While speaking on a chat show Aap ki Adalat,  host asked him if former India cricketer GR Vishwanath had caught him drinking beer. Ravi Shastri replied that he used to drink with Vishwanath himself, who was admittedly his childhood hero. Shastri added that when he was 17 or 18, he used to drink alcohol with his far so re wasn't anyone he needed to be scared of. 

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host furr said that once Sunil Gavaskar had also caught him drinking gin. Ravi Shastri countered that claim as well by saying that everyone had caught him because he didn't have any reason to hide. host asked Shastri how could he justify drinking alcohol when he has to play for India following day. Shastri reiterated that he wasn't foolish and knew that he had to play following day so that when he gets set at crease, he could score centuries as well as bowl more than 30 overs. He added if one doesn't respect game, it won't respect m eir in return.

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host furr said that when Sunil Gavaskar caught him drinking alcohol, he had come to inform Shastri that he was supposed to open for India following day. Shastri said that Sunil Gavaskar didn't catch him as y were drinking some 'juice'. He furr said that when Sunil Gavaskar asked him to open batting, he stopped drinking alcohol as he realized he had to open batting for first time for India that too against likes of Imran Khan and Sarfaraz Nawaz of Pakistan on ir soil back in 1982, which went on to change his career.

Shastri also said that he realized it was a big opportunity for him to make a mark as team had failed miserably in that series in 1982. Shastri added that he shifted his focus entirely on game and ended up scoring a century in match, which was one of his proudest moments in Indian jersey.

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IM COURTESY: ICC TWITTER