Former Union minister Smriti Irani has once again found herself at the centre of online trolling following a recent interview with the senior TV anchor of Hindi news channel Aaj Tak. During the interview, Irani claimed she celebrated Ravi Shastri's 6 sixes after watching it LIVE on a neighbour's television set.
Netizens pointed out the journalist’s failure to cross-question her on the claim as the Ranji match in which he achieved the feat wasn't aired on TV those days.
Ravi Shastri 6 sixes record
Ravi Shastri became the first Indian to hit six sixes in any form of senior professional cricket during a Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and Baroda in 1985. Shastri achieved the feat by smashing Tilak Raj's every delivery into the stands. He went onto score double century in the second innings of the match. The match had ended in a draw, but Mumbai won their 30th Ranji Trophy title that season.
Netizens troll Smriti Irani and Journalist
Did television broadcast Ranji Trophy matches in 1985?
Ravi Shastri himself reveled that the Ranji Trophy matches were not televised that time. While speaking during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Wankhede stadium which happened in January this year, Shastri had described the six sixes he hit in that match.
He said, "When I hit six sixes there was TV or commentary. The first one went to his side. The second went to that side. Third on mid-wicket. He is a good bowler, so threw the fourth ball on leg-stump. Then I hit it on the Gavaskar stand. Fifth time on the Hockey ground. I will take it from here," said Shastri
"Raj the bowler. Shastri the batsman on strike. Tough like wood. Covers Amarnath. Kiran More attentive behind the stumps. Raj bowlers. It's wide. It's flat-batted. It goes like a scud. Clears long-off. The party begins in Mumbai. In the Mumbai dressing room. 10th of January 1985,"
Ravi Shastri's mother recalls Bhelpuri wala revealing his achivement
Speaking on the dias she said, “There are many treasured memories which Ravi has given us. But I would say that the one which stands out is when he scored six sixes in an over. I was blissfully unaware of the fact that he was doing it at Wankhede Stadium (nearby). I was told by my bhelpuri wala who was present there and witnessed this,”
She added, When Ravi came home, he had to immediately leave for somewhere else. I asked him what happened today. You know his style, he never wanted to say the truth to me. So he said, ‘you want to know what I did? Then tune in to today’s All India Radio for the 7 o’clock news’.
