Former head coach Ravi Shastri, known for his transformative tenure with the Indian cricket team, recently opened up about his vision for team success and his early recognition of Virat Kohli leadership potential.
In a candid interview with Michael Atherton, Ravi Shastri shared insights into his partnership with Virat Kohli, highlighting their shared passion for Test cricket and a culture of aggressive, fearless play.
Shastri described Kohli as an “uncut diamond” when he first assumed the coaching role, recognizing his raw talent and leadership qualities. He saw beyond individual brilliance and sought to cultivate a team-oriented approach, with Kohli at the forefront. While MS Dhoni remained captain initially, Shastri revealed, “My eye was on him (Kohli).”
Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli era
Their shared philosophy led to the creation of a “free-for-all” training environment, where bowlers were encouraged to push boundaries and batsmen weren’t afraid to get gritty. Ravi Shastri praised Virat Kohli eagerness to embrace this tough approach, stating, “He was the first guy to embrace it; he was quite prepared to look ugly in the nets.”
Despite not securing major ICC trophies, the Ravi Shastri-Virat Kohli era laid a strong foundation for Indian cricket. Virat Kohli, under Shastri’s guidance, led the team to historic overseas Test wins, including a series victory in Australia. They reached the semi-finals of most ICC tournaments and maintained dominance in bilateral series and home Tests.
Ravi Shastri emphasized Kohli’s willingness to face challenges and his unwavering commitment to playing aggressively, mirroring his own coaching philosophy. He recounted, “We made it a free-for-all in the nets… and the mindset changed.”
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