Ravi Shastri praised MS Dhoni, while admitting that he still doesn't have his phone number.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri praised ex-India captain MS Dhoni for being a 'stoic' and said he hasn't met someone like him. Dhoni is known for not expressing his emotions no matter what, and being calm on the field.
Shastri, in interaction with Shoaib Akhtar for his YouTube channel, said that Dhoni is 'unreal' and 'one of a kind'. He recalled that the Jharkhand cricketer remained unmoved by the situation, whether he got out on a duck or won a World Cup.
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"Virat is like a beast on the field, once he steps on the field, he just wants to compete and he does not care about anything else. But, completely opposite off the field, absolutely calm and chill. Rohit is laid back pretty much like MS Dhoni. MS is just unreal, one of a kind, whether it's a duck, century, lifting the World Cup, he does not care," he said.
The ex-India coach admitted that there's no one like Dhoni and Shastri also revealed that he doesn't have his phone number till now. “I have seen many players but there is none like MS Dhoni. Sachin had a fantastic temperament but got angry at times, but MS, nothing at all.
"Till today, I don't have his phone number, I've not even asked for it. I know he does not carry a phone around with him,” he added.
Virat Kohli is going through a rough patch in his career and Shastri suggested him some time off to clear his mind and come back strong.
“I think he realized that he's 33, he must have five good years of cricket ahead of him. Probably take a break from the game as well, 2-3 months or even one series will do him a world of good. He will be clear mentally, will know what his role in the team is, and can play as a team player. And that's how I want to see Kohli from now on,” Shastri said.