- July 24, 2025
Day 1 of the ENG vs IND 4th Test at Old Trafford had all the ingredients for a belter. Clouds overhead, a green top underfoot, and two heavyweights ready to battle it out on the cricket field. But what upstaged this whole debacle? A pure Shastri moment; one that had everybody, viewers and commentators alike, rolling with laughter.
Shastri Being Shastri: Banter, Wit & Timing
Ravi Shastri’s style of commentary is “unfiltered masala.” He doesn’t just commentate on the match; he adds context, flavour, and humour that fans eat up. His live dig at Farokh Engineer during the Manchester Test wasn’t intended to be an insult; it was more a nostalgia trip to the days of locker-room banter – two legends taking the mickey out of each other in a way only they know, and like the old days.
The moment arrived when Engineer—a former India wicketkeeper and Lancashire great—was shown on the big screen. Shastri didn’t miss a beat: “Farokh wasn’t just a gloveman—he was the poster boy before posters were cool. A voracious eater, even now, at lunch. His plate will be full.” If that wasn’t enough, he cheekily added he’d translate what Engineer said “at the back of the box”—hinting at the kind of jokes that don’t make it to the family-friendly feed.
This wasn’t just a random roast. Shastri and Engineer go way back. Fans who know the context understood this wasn’t mockery—it was nostalgia wrapped in laughter.
A Day to Remember: Farokh Engineer Gets His Due
Although Shastri’s joke made headlines, Farokh Engineer’s moment was even bigger. Before the match, Old Trafford opened a stand named after two cricketing legends — England and West Indies great Clive Lloyd. For the Engineer, who lit up Lancashire between 1968 and 1976, it felt like his cricketing journey had come full circle most poetically.
Realization was more than just numbers (for India – 46 Tests, 5 ODIs) – it was about legacy. Before charisma had hashtags, there was Engineer—charming crowds from Bombay to Manchester with nothing but heart, hustle, and heavenly cover drives.
In a manner, Shastri’s roast of Engineer brought the full-circle moment to the present day, reminding the younger generation just how impactful Engineer was in the game of cricket, both English and Indian cricket. A stand named after him, a live tribute (with some humor added), and a game taking place at the same venue he once ruled. What could a legend ask for?
Shastri’s Message to Team India: Stay Solid Early
Beyond the banter, Shastri also dropped some valuable cricketing insight before play began. Speaking to Sky Sports, he predicted tough batting conditions early on—overcast skies, some grass on the pitch, and England’s pace attack ready to pounce. His advice? Survive the first 30 overs. “Don’t lose more than three wickets,” he said, laying out the blueprint for India’s Day 1 survival.
And the funny thing is that India looked to be following that journey. When I wrote this, they were at 120/1 after 39 overs. KL Rahul was out for 46, but it was a solid and sensible start, as Shastri ordered.
His commentary is always laced with humour but centred around a fine knowledge of cricket. Whether he is delivering some humour or reading the conditions, Shastri knows how to own the mic.
So, what’s your favorite Shastri mic-drop moment? Let’s hear it in the comments.
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