Virat Kohli can walk away with his head held high: Ravi Shastri | Cricket News

MUMBAI: “To Ravi bhai and the support group who were the engine behind this vehicle that moved us upwards in Test.”
Virat Kohli was effusive in his praise for a coach, a friend and firm supporter in Ravi Shastri, and the support staff that worked with the team during the latter’s tenure.

An emotional Shastri too reciprocated the same in a conversation with TOI on Saturday evening.

“India’s most aggressive and successful Test captain, Kohli can walk out with his head held high,” Shastri said. “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.”

What is your take on the timing of Virat Kohli’s decision to step down as Test captain?
The former India head coach says the outgoing skipper now has all the time to concentrate on what he wants to do next – become the best batsman in the world once again. In Shastri’s words, Kohli’s biggest strength as captain is the drive, passion, and commitment he brought to the game. “That drive to win at all times is what makes him special”.

The so-called blip of not winning an ICC World Cup, in Shastri’s view, cannot overshadow any of Kohli’s bigger achievements.
“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,” Shastri added. “It is time for him to focus on his batting. He’s achieved what he wanted to as captain.”