There are few characters in the cricket world as legendary, or arguably as divisive, as Ravi Shastri. In his early days as a player, he earned his stripes playing for the Indian national cricket team between 1981 and 1992, earning appearances in both test matches and one-day international events. Although he started out primarily as a left-arm spin bowler, it was as a batting expert that he really cemented his name, which led him to develop a distinctly defensive style. Although playing well at both domestic and international level, a recurrent knee injury forced him into early retirement at the age of just 31, which for a player who was just beginning to mature was a tragic blow.

With an illustrious domestic and international career behind him, when his playing career finally came to a close, Shastri then turned his focus towards burgeoning coaching and commentating career. In his role as commentator, he provided voiceover and live commentary for the World Masters Tournament in Mumbai in 1995, as well as collaborating with other events on an ad-hoc basis. Eventually, he and his fellow commentator Sunil Gavaskar picked up lucrative contracts with the Indian Premier League, which saw him reaching audiences far and wide through his distinctive commentating style.

As all fans of betting on cricket will know, it is in his capacity as a team coach that he has arguably had his biggest impact. Following a stint as the director of the Indian cricket team during their tour of England before the 2015 World Cup, Shastri took up a post as head coach of the Indian cricket team in July 2017. His contract was renewed in August 2019 and he will remain in the post until the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup.

As coach of the senior team, however, Shastri hasn't had the easiest of times as of late. After failing to win the World Cup title last year? which many fans of the Indian team had considered a sure thing going into the tournament? Shastri's contract was renewed. For some fans, this has been a somewhat controversial decision, with Shastri appearing to struggle to make his mark on the senior team. Despite these minor hiccups, however, it appears that Shastri is playing a longer game in his management of the team, looking to build up a good framework of coaching staff around him? something that we could wait years to see the full benefit of.

With a large question mark still hanging over his head in light of the last World Cup failure, there has been much talk about the team's ability to secure a title in the future. Shastri has remained firm in his outlook, saying that you can't get desperate in your chase of the title and that you have to have faith in your abilities, work ethics, and the team around you. As we know all too well, the game of cricket is a long one, and sometimes these things simply take time.

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