The first face that comes to mind when we hear the name of Indian cricket is Virat Kohli, and now former Indian coach Ravi Shastri has also called Kohli the most influential player of the last decade.
Yes, Shastri said without hesitation in a recent video, “There is a youth brigade, but the biggest star of the last decade, the most influential – Virat Kohli!”
The wonders that Kohli has done in the world of cricket are not hidden from anyone. Whether it is raining runs with the bat or taking India to new heights in captaincy, Kohli has won on every front. Shastri, who was the coach during Kohli’s golden period as a Test captain, never gets tired of praising him.
He said that Kohli’s game is not limited to just statistics, but his passion and leadership gave a new color to Indian cricket.
Recently in a chat, Shastri was asked which of the current bowlers he would like to face the least. The answer was – Jasprit Bumrah!
And when asked whether he would prefer hitting six sixes or winning the World Cup, Shastri laughed and said, “I have done both, but winning the World Cup is more special!”
Ravi Shastri’s top-5 list
Shastri also shared his list of all-time favourite Indian cricketers. It included Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Kapil Dev and of course, Virat Kohli.
“I am picking players who changed cricket in their era,” he said.
Kohli’s name in the list is not surprising, as his bat has not only broken records but also won the hearts of fans across the world.
Kohli’s magic
Virat Kohli has made his mark not only on the field but also off the field. His fitness, dedication and never-say-die attitude are an example for every young cricketer.
Shastri’s praise is proof that Kohli is not just a player but the heartbeat of Indian cricket.
Be it Test, ODI or T20, Kohli’s bat shone in every format. Under his captaincy, India won Test series abroad and gave cricket a new dimension. Shastri says, “Virat has not just played cricket, he has lived it.”
