Minutes after India's historic maiden Test series in Australia, head coach Ravi Shastri started a controversy by claiming that what the Virat Kohli-led side has achieved is bigger than the 1983 World Cup triumph under Kapil Dev in England.
In the post-match press conference, Shastri told the gathering at Sydney Cricket Ground, "I'll tell you how satisfying it is for me – (winning) World Cup '83, (winning) World Championship '85, this is as big or even bigger because this is in the truest format of the game, that's Test cricket which is meant to be the toughest."
Shastri's comments, however, failed to impress fans and pundits.
And the prominent among them was Sunil Gavaskar, in his and Aussie great Allan Border's honours, the series was named. The legendary Indian opener reacted, "I think what he said was clearly about the Test format – this is the biggest victory as far as he is concerned; because he was a part of the '83 and '85 limited overs competition win".
"Those were 50-over format wins and this is a Test format win so, therefore, that's a big high for him – to be a part of it because he is the coach. I think that's why he was feeling so chuffed about it," said Gavaskar in one of the official broadcasters' studio.
Then there are not so gentle reactions:
Abhi bhi waqt hai, Sack Ravi Shastri.
— S H U B H A M ð (@ShubhamK_45) January 7, 2019
Did Ravi Shastri actually call this win bigger than 1983 WC win?
— SHREYA⨠(@ShreyaJha_29) January 7, 2019
Buddha pagal ho chuka hai
Who is the God or Demi-God coach Ravi Shastri is referring to? There is just one God we all know. But the question is why? This #TeamIndia deserves praise. Great praise for the unprecedented achievement. But not at the cost of denigrating others. Please. #bordergavaskartrophy pic.twitter.com/Bgbii4W0fB
— G. S. Vivek (@GSV1980) January 7, 2019
The only bad thing about a series victory abroad wud be a post match press conference by Ravi Shastri. Hope to God there isn't one . Something's gotta give here. #INDvsAUS
— Rajdeep (@morerajdeep) January 7, 2019
Another lowblow from Ravi Shastri before ending the press conference. Leaves us all (yet again) with a bad taste in the mouth.
— Sreshth Shah (@sreshthx) January 7, 2019
Says, "I'd like to thank my media buddies from India for what they've done" while laughing and Kohli giggling from behind #AUSvIND
Ravi shastri gave a full blown politician speech to a normal question.
— Nitesh Khandelwal (@k_nitzz23) January 7, 2019
Kya aadmi hðÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ
This is why Kumble was never a favourite to these spoiled brats..ravi Shastri is a perfect coach for them..
— Sourav Roy (@roy183sourav) January 7, 2019
Ravi Shastri is a proper desi Jose Mourinho when it comes to press conferences ðÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ#AUSvIND
— Piyush (@ptvool) January 7, 2019
Completely disagree with @RaviShastriOfc. 1983 win was against the strongest team in the WC. This Australian side is weakest ever.#AUSvIND #INDvAUS
— Sandeep Parkhi (@sparkhi) January 7, 2019
https://t.co/kTlglRWhDI
Ravi Shastri's contribution to Team India's series win in Australia. #INDvAUS #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/RvgG84TmPz
— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) January 7, 2019
@36notout Though the Aus series win by India is commendable, Ravi Shastri's comment on Series win being bigger than 1983 World cup win is to immature. This proves he didn't deserve nor deserves to be in either place.
— Sachin Simpi (@SachinSimpi1) January 7, 2019
The final day of the fourth Test of the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series was abandoned due to inclement weather, thus giving India a 2-1 win.
Then, there was a sly dig at Sachin Tendulkar, who is often hailed as the 'God of Cricket'. Here's what he said:
Who is the God or Demi-God coach Ravi Shastri is referring to? There is just one God we all know. But the question is why? This #TeamIndia deserves praise. Great praise for the unprecedented achievement. But not at the cost of denigrating others. Please. #bordergavaskartrophy pic.twitter.com/Bgbii4W0fB
— G. S. Vivek (@GSV1980) January 7, 2019
In the run-up to the series, many have said that this was India's best chance to win a series Down Under thanks to the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner, and also due to the declining fortunes of the Australian team.
The World Cup win in 1983 is still one of India's greatest sporting achievements, often rivalling those of hockey teams' Olympics triumphs. Symbolically, it liberated the Indian society from the clutches of the colonial hangover, but in purely sporting terms, it's unrivalled in every sense. It's also the raison d'etre of India's emergence as the cricketing superpower. Tendulkar or Kohli or Dhoni might not have picked up the bat had it not been for Kapil's Devils.