When Ravi Shastri and Nasser Hussain had a go at each other in the commentary box

Ravi Shastri and Nasser Hussain are two of the most influential figures in the cricket fraternity. Both the former players never shy away from making a comment on the game and seldom you will see them not backing up their comments with facts and evidence. This is also the reason why it has been an enthralling experience hearing these two legends do commentary. Shastri, who has not been inside the commentary box in some time, once had a war of words with the ex-England captain. 

The incident dates back to 2011 when India was touring England. This is when India was ranked no.1 in Tests and had recently won the ICC Cricket World Cup. In short, they were at the height of their dominance in world cricket. During the Test series, BCCI decided not to include the Hawkeye technology for determining umpiring calls as they were not sure if it was accurate or not. 

This decision turned out to be costly for India during the Trent Bridge Test when Harbhajan Singh was given out LBW by the umpire Marais Erasmus, despite the spinner getting a massive inside edge. This dismissal was also part of the famous hat-trick by Stuart Broad. Hussain, who was on air at the time this happened, called BCCI’s move to not completely use technology as ‘disgrace.’

Bottom-line is that they have never been No. 1 in the world in Test cricket: Ravi Shastri 

Shastri, who was part of the commentary panel, but not on air, hit back at the former England batsman during the post-day show in the studios of Star Cricket. Once Harsha Bhogle brought up the topic, Shastri went on a full rant.

“They (England) are jealous about the way the IPL is going, jealous that India is No.1 in world cricket, jealous about the fact that India are world champions,” Shastri said in his aggressive and familiar voice. “They are jealous because of too much money being made by the BCCI. Bottom-line is that they have never been No. 1 in the world in Test cricket,” Shastri said, as Bhogle nodded along without adding anything. 

The story didn’t end there. Hussain, who had a reputation to hit back at criticisms with his bat during his playing days, decided to give it back to Shastri. On the third day of the Trent Bridge Test, a moment came when Hussain and Shastri found themselves sitting alongside each other in the commentary box. This time, it was Hussain who was firing the dots at Shastri.

Nasser Hussain’s response

“Ravi, I just want to pick you up on something you said on a show yesterday, questioning my right to call non-use of DRS a disgrace. Well, I have earned that right after 96 Test matches to voice my opinion on the game of cricket. It is my job and my right to voice my opinion. And I have been paid by Star to do so,” the former England captain said. 

“You also said that there was a jealousy factor about India going to be No.1. No one is more proud than me about India at the top,” Hussain added. “I have nothing against India. All I said is that had there been reviews for LBWs, Harbhajan would not have been out. It was a howler. And if the technology is there to assist, why not take advantage of it. Who knows Harbhajan would have done what Stuart Broad did with the bat for England.”

The debate didn’t end there just, Shastri kept his stance saying that the BCCI was right in not using the technology as they were not sure of it. He further stated that England was the last team to adopt DRS while Indians tried it in 2008 and understood the inconsistencies with it. On the other hand, Hussain stuck to his ground that the DRS should have been used to get rid of the howlers every now and then. Since this incident, the two have been seen in the commentary box, without sharing any animosity or sorts.