'Most expensive medal you'll ever get' - Ravi Shastri sheds light on 'icing on the cake' moment of his cricket career

The Naman Awards took place in Hyderabad on Tuesday, January 23, in the presence of several esteemed Indian cricketers from the past and present. At the prestigious event, former India cricketer and head coach, Ravi Shastri, was conferred with the prestigious Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Former India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer also received the award.

Speaking of Shastri, he represented India in 230 international matches and was part of India's squad that won the ODI World Cup in 1983. The Indian team also saw commendable success during his tenure as the head coach, ending as runners-up during the World Test Championship Final in 2021, and semi-finalists during 2019 World Cup.

After he had received the award, Harsha Bhogle, who was the host at the event, asked what would be the most memorable moment from his illustrious career that has spanned over 40 years where he has donned different hats - as a player, commentator and coach. The 61-year-old spoke about the World Cup win in 1983 and MS Dhoni's six to win the 2011 World Cup. He also named the 2007 T20 World Cup win and many other notable achievements but kept India's win in the fourth Test at the Gabba in 2021 at the top of the list.

"You showed one there in 1985 because there was a final against Pakistan. So it was a special night in Melbourne in 1983 being on that balcony at Lords when India won the World Cup, you know, there is the hundred in the West Indies and a double hundred in Australia. The World Cup final when MS hit that ball for six and of course, in 2007 when they won the T20 World Cup to back-to-back wins in Australia," Shastri said at the event.

"If you ask me one, the icing on the cake was that last day at the Gabba (2021) when we went past the finish line with Rishabh Pant taking us home, and I thank my players for that," he said enthusiastically.

Shastri was the head coach of the Indian team on the Australia tour in 2020-21. The visitors managed to beat Australia by three wickets in that game to win the series 2-1, despite facing multiple setbacks throughout the series.