"We would eat like pigs"- Ravi Shastri recalls hilarious incident from his playing days for India
Former Indian all-rounder Ravi Shastri candidly acknowledged being a foodie during his playing days when India would be on tours during the launch of his former teammate Sandeep Patil's autobiography - Beyond Boundaries. Shastri was asked by one of the panelists about an incident where the room service person in a hotel was surprised by the quantity of food ordered by the duo.
Not one to duck any question, Shastri responded as quoted by NDTV Sports:
"We used to get much more than any of the Test cricketers get today (in a sarcastic way). We were one pair that never took home any money. So, when I finished a Test match and went home, dad used to ask me, 'What's the money for a Test match?' It would be some loose change, because we would eat like pigs. I am not surprised that guy was surprised."
The panelists then asked about liquids to which Shastri replied:
"Never short of that. We were thirsty from a very young age. If the game finished at 5:30, at 6:30 the wet wicket would start."
Shastri enjoyed an excellent international career from 1981 to 1992 with almost 7,000 runs and 280 wickets in 230 outings across Tests and ODIs.
The now 62-year-old has been a highly successful commentator since his playing days. Shastri also served as India's head coach and director and the side won back-to-back Test series in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
Ravi Shastri was part of India's 1983 ODI World Cup-winning team
Ravi Shastri was an integral part of India's first-ever World Cup title in 1983, contributing with bat and ball.
While he scored only 40 runs in the five matches he played, his left-arm spin-bowling was highly effective. Shastri picked up four wickets at an excellent average of 21.75 and an economy of 4.31.
He also played in the next two ODI World Cups for India in 1987 and 1992, finishing with 185 runs and 12 wickets in his overall World Cup career.
Meanwhile, Sandeep Patil started his Indian career a year before Shastri in 1980 but played his last game in 1986. He finished with over 2,500 runs and 24 wickets in 74 matches across Tests and ODIs.