Ravi Shastri has compared Virat Kohli with West Indies legend Viv Richards in a candid interview on the one8 - Beyond the Boundary podcast. Shastri also stated how it was Kohli who inspired him to become the next captain of India after Dhoni’s retirement.
Kohli discussed Shastri’s tough love at the end of the 2014 England series, which shaped his career. Shastri’s blunt feedback motivated him to improve his technique and mental resilience, Kohli said. They remembered their mutual trust from the 2021 Nottingham Test where Shastri asked Kohli to bring Ravichandran Ashwin as a starter and it was a good decision that paid off.
The podcast also tried to debunk myths about Kohli’s off-field persona. Shastri said that behind the aggressive on-field persona is a person who is disciplined and a team player. Kohli was also very vocal about his fitness revolution which brought his own game to a whole new level and helped set new standards for Indian cricket. His competitive edge, Shastri said, mirrors the fearless spirit that Richards had during that time.
To add to the conversation, former Australian pacer Brett Lee observed that a prime Kohli would fit in well into any Australian team, which just goes to show his adaptability and world-class status.
The podcast opened the eyes of the fans to Kohli and Shastri’s bond by telling the stories of leadership, resilience, and camaraderie. Shastri’s comparison of Kohli to Viv Richards also solidified the Indian star’s importance in cricket and his persona.
