Ishant Sharma recently opened up about the duo of Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri, revealing how they transformed the Indian cricket team into a fearless and aggressive force.
Ishant explained that since Kohli became Test captain and Shastri coach in 2015, the team has experienced a new spirit and passion.
Team’s style changed under Virat’s leadership
Ishant said in Raj Shamani’s podcast, “Since 2015, when Virat Kohli became captain and Ravi Shastri became coach, a new attitude developed in our team.
If any opposing player said anything to any of our players, the entire team would stand up and respond. All 15-16 players in the team would speak out and say, without hesitation, ‘How dare you say that to our player?’ They wouldn’t let it go.”
That is, if an opposition player sledged, the entire team would respond in unison. This attitude made India a strong and fearless team on the field.
Ishant also said that under Kohli’s captaincy, the team created such an atmosphere on the field that no player was left alone.
No matter how difficult the situation, the entire team stood together. This aggressive and united attitude was the gift of Kohli and Shastri.
The Secret of Kohli’s Mental Strength
Ishant described Kohli as one of India’s most special cricketers.
He said, “One of the most special things about Virat Kohli is that when he’s on the field, he only thinks about cricket and his team. No matter how big the problems in life are, when he’s on the field, his only focus is, ‘I have to score runs, and I will.’
If he comes home late at night, around 2 or 3 a.m., and bats all night in a match, he will still go out the next day and score 200 runs; it doesn’t affect him at all.”
Ishant praised Kohli’s discipline and focus. No matter how tired he is or how late he has to stay up at night, Kohli comes on the field the next day and gives his best.
