- Ravi Shastri is known for his theatrical commentary
- Indian legend cracked up Pat Cummins at the coin toss
Channel Seven cricket commentator Ravi Shastri has left footy star turned media personality Ryan Fitzgerald stunned with his introduction for the coin toss at the Boxing Day Test – and Aussie skipper Pat Cummins was a huge fan as well.
The Indian cricket legend is known for his theatrical flourishes during broadcasts and he didn’t disappoint as he introduced Cummins, his opposite number Rohit Sharma and match official Andy Pycroft at the MCG on Thursday morning.
‘We are at the iconic, gigantic Melbourne Cricket Ground … and also home to the king, the late Shane Warne,’ Shastri boomed.
‘The gloves are off as we come up to toss time. It’s Boxing Day, the two captains in their respective corners, ready to box on. Rohit Sharma, Pat Cummins, the match referee, who has his eyes locked on proceedings.’
That last remark got Cummins and Sharma laughing just before the Aussie won the toss and put his side into bat on a day when the temperature is expected to hit 40 degrees.
Fitzgerald took to X to voice his amazement at what he’d just seen.
Ravi Shastri (left) had Aussie skipper Pat Cummins (second from right) and his Indian counterpart Rohit Sharma in stitches with his dramatic coin toss introduction at the MCG
Shastri (pictured) is known and loved for his theatrical antics on cricket broadcasts
‘Is Ravi Shastri a Commentator or a try hard Real Estate Agent trying to sell a 2 bedroom fibro home in Dandenong? Even Pat Cummins is p***ing himself laughing,’ he wrote.
It’s not the first time Shastri’s coin toss theatrics have amazed cricket fans.
He pulled off a similarly dramatic introduction just before play began in the first Test against India in Perth on November 22.
The 62-year-old former Indian skipper turned the volume up so much he almost didn’t need a microphone as he launched into his address in front of what appeared to be a very disappointing crowd at Optus Stadium.
‘We’re in Western Australia, it’s the magnificent Perth stadium and the venue for the first Test match in the Border Gavaskar Trophy,’ he began.
‘Talk of Border, Gavaskar – two champions out in the centre, Allan Border, Sunny Gavaskar in person – only appropriate,’ he boomed as he pointed to the men the series is named after.
Footy star turned media personality Ryan Fitzgerald (pictured) was blown away by Shastri’s efforts just before the start of play on the first day of the Boxing Day Test
‘We’re ready for toss time – Pat Cummins, Jasprit Bumrah, Ranjan Madugalle the match referee, tried and tested!’ he continued, saving his best effort for the least well-known of those gathered next to the wicket.
Shastri then turned it down a few notches as he interviewed the captains after India won the toss and decided to bat.
The electric opening to the summer of cricket went over a treat with viewers.
‘I want Ravi Shastri to announce all my major life events,’ one wrote on X.
‘Someone extract Ravi Shastri’s coin toss energy and inject it into my veins,’ added another.
‘I think it’s not just the broadcasters but just about anyone who watched that would have been left in splits. Typical Ravi Shastri fun,’ another chimed in.
Others picked up on his over-the-top energy, writing, ‘Ravi Shastri is MCing like he had 6 coffees and 4 Red Bulls’, ‘Ravi Shastri is off chops’ and ‘India must be here because Ravi Shastri is shouting at me again’.
