In 2018, during a press conference ahead of India’s tour to Australia, former captain Virat Kohli addressed questions about then-head coach Ravi Shastri. Kohli countered claims that Shastri was merely a ‘yes’ man, describing him instead as an honest and principled individual. He emphasized that Shastri frequently challenged his ideas if they didn’t align with the team’s best interests, underscoring his commitment to the collective goal rather than individual preferences.
Virat Kohli Defends Ravi Shastri Against ‘Yes Man’ Claims:
The question aimed to explore Virat Kohli’s relationship with Ravi Shastri, who assumed the role of head coach in July 2017. Shastri, who had previously served as team director from 2014 to 2016, succeeded Anil Kumble, who stepped down after a year. Reports suggest Kumble’s resignation was accelerated by his anger towards the players following their defeat to Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy final.
Shastri’s appointment marked a significant change for the team, with his previous stint as team director and his fresh approach to coaching offering a new direction. This transition underscored the evolving leadership dynamics within the squad.
Kohli expressed satisfaction with Shastri’s appointment, appreciating how the former all-rounder effectively brought out the best in each player, fostering the team’s development. He lauded Shastri’s exceptional man-management skills, which were instrumental in helping him and other batsmen bounce back from a poor Test series loss to England in 2014 and gear up for the 2015 World Cup.
Virat Kohli appreciated Shastri’s insights and adapted his batting technique based on them, which proved beneficial. Kohli valued Shastri’s perspective, and the adjustments he made to his approach led to significant improvements in his performance.
He said, “ About saying ‘yes’ all the time, that is the most bizarre thing I have heard,” Kohli said. “I don’t think there’s anyone who has said no to me more than him in Indian cricket. Honestly, because he’s one guy I can speak to and get an honest opinion and he’ll tell me something that if it doesn’t need to be done, it doesn’t need to be done. I’ve made more changes to my game listening to him than anyone else in the past.”
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India’s Performance Under Kohli-Shastri Era:
Ravi Shastri was appointed as the head coach of the Indian cricket team in 2017 for a two-year term, which was extended post the 2019 World Cup, lasting until the 2021 T20 World Cup. During his tenure, and with Virat Kohli as captain, India saw remarkable success across formats. Kohli took over as captain in 2017, and under his leadership along with Shastri, the team achieved significant milestones.
India won 22 out of 39 Test matches, 44 out of 67 ODIs, and 30 out of 47 T20Is. Notably, in January 2021, India became the first Asian team to secure a Test series victory on Australian soil and held the No. 1 spot in the Test rankings from 2017 to 2021. Additionally, they were the runners-up in the 2019-21 World Test Championship cycle.
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