Former head coach Ravi Shastri praised Virat Kohli for his strong work ethic both on and off the field. He said Kohli was a nightmare for the opposition.
Shastri’s Praise for Kohli’s Work Ethic and Leadership
Shastri and Kohli formed one of the best coach-captain partnerships in Indian cricket. Together, they helped transform the team and made India strong enough to win Test matches anywhere in the world.
Ravi Shastri praised Virat Kohli for his unmatched work ethic, calling him the fittest player in the world. Shastri credited Kohli for transforming the Indian team into one of the best-performing sides globally.
Shastri said Kohli was always willing to help, not just his teammates but even players from opposing teams. He recalled moments when opposition players approached Kohli for advice, and Kohli was happy to guide them.
“Virat Kohli’s work ethic was the most infectious trait that galvanised the team into World cricket’s most performing and fit bunch. He was a terror for the opposition but a friend and guide for his teammates. I have seen players from the opposition approach him for guidance, and Virat was always eager to help. I have seen him part with some excellent bats because he was not an insecure competitor,” he said as quoted by Sportstar.
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Kohli also changed the face of Indian cricket with his aggressive style of play, setting him apart from other captains in world cricket.
Shastri didn’t believe in comparing players. While he played with legends like Gavaskar and Tendulkar, he felt there was something special about Kohli.
“I don’t like comparisons. I’ve been asked about Gavaskar and Tendulkar. I was lucky to share a dressing room with them. But I saw Virat Kohli differently. I saw him step onto the field not just to play cricket, but to take control. To own the game. He didn’t just win matches, he changed the way India played cricket,” Shastri said.
Kohli doesn’t just play cricket; he aims to dominate the opposition, and his unique approach makes him a standout captain in Indian cricket.
The Shastri-Kohli era saw India achieve major milestones, including winning their first-ever Test series in Australia in 2018-19, making them the first Asian team to do so.
Under their leadership, India reached the final of the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) in 2021.
India also held the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings for 42 straight months (2016-2020) and made history by whitewashing the West Indies in a Test series in the Caribbean for the first time.
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