Ravi Shastri turns 57; Shikhar Dhawan advises tense India coach to ‘party hard’

India’s Champion of Champions turned 57 on Monday. This is perhaps one of the most under-pressure birthdays Ravi Shastri has spent in years since he is the head coach of Team India which will compete in the ICC World Cup starting Thursday. Virat Kohli’s men started off with a disappointment as they lost to New Zealand by 6 wickets in the first warm-up game at the Oval on Saturday and have one game left on Tuesday to get things in order before taking on South Africa in the actual tournament.

Shastri, who was a member of the World Cup-winning squad of 1983 as a 21-year-old, said before the Indian team left for the UK for the mega event that they need to enjoy the World Cup and see it as just a stage. “If we play to our potential then the Cup can be here,” he said.

India opener Shikhar Dhawan, who is known for his light takes on social media, wished the head coach on his birthday and hailed the time the team had with Shastri. He also advised Shastri to party hard saying that’s exactly what the doctor had ordered.

Shastri thanked Dhawan and called him “Shikki boy”.

India has had some memorable success under Ravi Shastri

India has done well under Shastri’s coaching tenure after he had taken over from Anil Kumble who had a shocking exit. India has beaten teams like South Africa, England and Australia in away series besides picking up several wins at home. Shastri had taken up in 2017 and despite the success stories, came under criticism from the fans when India lost Test series in South Africa and England.

The upcoming World Cup remains the biggest opportunity for Shastri, who had played in three World Cups (1983-1992), to cement his place as one of India’s best coaches. Times will though be nervous for the former batting all-rounder but on this birthday, Shastri will be eagerly praying that Kohli’s team makes it count in the mega event.

Shastri played 80 Tests and 150 ODIs between 1981 and 1992 and scored 7k runs and took 280 wickets. The injury-prone cricketer, however, had to bid adieu to the game at the age of 32.