India, Oct. 2 -- Ravi Shastri had the best possible introduction in store as he welcomed Andy Pycroft, the senior official, who will be the match referee for the first Test between India and West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Pycroft, who hails from Zimbabwe, was at the centre of a huge controversy in the Asia Cup 2025, where the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) claimed he failed to uphold the spirit of the game in the aftermath of the no-handshake row in the group stage match between India and Pakistan.

During the toss for the first Test, Shastri raised his voice in giving Pycroft a glowing introduction as he cheekily alluded to all the controversies in Dubai at the time of the Asia Cup.

"Back in the house, all the way ...