Some cricket stories belong in the history books, while others are best told over a few laughs. Netflix’s The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 5 brings Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri together for this Hasee ka Tyo-ha-ha-har with Kapil Sharma for an evening filled with both. Marking Ravi Shastri’s debut on the show, the episode brings together two icons of Indian cricket for a conversation that goes beyond the game.
The conversation turns nostalgic when Kapil shows images of the towering West Indies team and curiously asks Sunil Gavaskar how he always played without a helmet. Sidhu recalls using his allowance to buy a huge helmet, while Gavaskar fearlessly faced bowlers at nearly 150 kmph, joking, ‘Andar bheje mein kuch nahi tha.’ For Gavaskar, playing for India was always an honour. Sidhu then recalls his selection for India when he was 18 and the time he shared a room with then-captain Ravi Shastri, only to be repeatedly asked to step out when he unexpectedly walked in on Shastri with company- leading to a hilarious revelation.
Sunil Gavaskar also opens up on why he chose to retire at the age of 38. Sidhu reflects on how the game has transformed with the advent of the IPL (Indian Premier League), recalling how summers meant travelling to England to play cricket, while today, the IPL brings teams from across the world to India for two months of competition. Adding to the madness, Sunil Grover makes a hilarious appearance dressed as Kapil Dev, standing behind Ravi Shastri and quipping, ‘Kaafi confusion hai, Ravi ji ke aage ek Kapil Sunil aur Ravi ji ke peeche Kapil Sunil, teetar vaali baat hogayi na yeh,’ leaving the audience and the guests laughing out loud.
From fearless cricketing stories and locker-room anecdotes to candid reflections, nostalgia and comedy, the episode brings together two legends of the game for an evening that celebrates the kahaaniyan and men behind the sport, and the laughter that comes with them.
Tune in on Saturday, 8pm to catch the latest episode of The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 5, only on Netflix.