Former India head coach Ravi Shastri is all set to make his comeback behind the microphone after more than five years. Before becoming Team India head coach in 2017, the former India all-rounder had a stellar career as a television broadcaster and he was widely regarded as one of the best in the business, not just in India but across the globe.

From the 2007 World T20 final against Pakistan to the 2011 ODI World Cup summit clash against Sri Lanka, Shastri was behind the microphone when the Men in Blue dealt the final blow to the opposition and became the world champions.

“...In the air, Sreesanth takes it” or “...Dhoni finishes off in style”, these two sentences still fresh in the minds of every Indian cricket fan and give most of us goosebumps everytime we hear them.

His stellar voice had been synonymous with Indian cricket for many years but it all stopped when he joined the Indian dressing room. In a few days’ time, Shastri’ magical voice will once again echo in our ears and the fans are pretty thrilled about it.

Shastri never intended to be away from the comm box for so many years but he was forced into doing so by a “stupid conflict of interest cluause in the BCCI’s “stupid constitution”.

Ahead of his much-awaited return behind the microphone, the 59-year-old expressed his views on the same during an interaction with IPL’s host broadcasters Star Sports.

He said: “It is refreshing to be back on TV. For me, IPL is about the quality of cricket and to be back behind the mic and watch it in close quarters is exciting.”

The former India all-rounder then went on to explain the reason why he had to distance himself from the commentary gigs in the last five years.

“Could not commentate for five years due to a stupid conflict of interest clause in a stupid constitution,” he explaiend.

The BCCI’s new constitution, drafted on the recommendations made by the Supreme Court appointed Justice RM Lodha panel, bars all individuals from acquiring two or more roles at the same time under the BCCI’s ambit.

And that is why Shastri, despite having plenty of free time during the IPL, couldn’t sign up for any commentary assignments. The reason why it fell under the conflict of interest clause was because, unlike other nations, in India the names of the commentators are finalised by the BCCI itself.

Alongside Shastri, another high-profile name who will be seen lending his voice to the IPL 2022 matches is former CSK cricketer Suresh Raina.

(With inputs from agencies)