Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri while talking about Virat Kohli’s decision to quit Test capacity, said that the right-hander can walk out with his head held high and will go down in history as the finest India ever had.
Virat Kohli stepping down as the Indian Test skipper has made the cricket fraternity go bonkers. While some were left surprised by the sudden announcement, many applauded him for the legacy he left behind.
The 33-year-old in his statement expressed his gratitude towards former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri and called him the engine of the vehicle that carried that Indian team in Test cricket.
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As soon as Virat Kohli stepped down as Indian Test skipper, Ravi Shastri lauded the right-hander for his success as a skipper on his social media platforms, calling it a sad day for him.
Later in a conversation with TOI, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri hailed Virat Kohli as the most aggressive Indian captain, who can walk out with his head held high. He said that the right-hander will go down in the history as one of the finest India has ever had.
He added that Kohli was firm in how he wanted to pursue his cricket and lauded his dedication as a skipper.
“India's most aggressive and successful Test captain, Kohli can walk out with his head held high. He is right up there with the best anywhere around the world and will go down in history as the finest India has ever had. Always very strong-minded, the Virat I know was firm in how he wanted to pursue his cricket, his captaincy and absolutely dedicated to the job,” Ravi Shastri said.
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Ravi Shastri said that two instances where Virat Kohli might have felt frustrated would’ve been the WTC final 2021 and the recently concluded series against South Africa.
He remarked that Kohli has achieved everything that he wanted to as a captain and now it’s time for him to focus on his batting.
"Only two captains have won an ICC World Cup for India-Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni. The only two instances that Kohli might have felt frustrated are the WTC Final and this series in South Africa. It is time for him to focus on his batting. He's achieved what he wanted to as captain,” he said.
Virat Kohli ended his tenure as the most successful Indian skipper with 40 wins to his name from 68 matches at a win percentage of 58.92%. It remains to be seen who will selectors name as the next Indian Test captain.
(TOI inputs)
