India vs Australia | No one has told me ‘no’ more times than Ravi Shastri, says Virat Kohli

11/16/2018

Virat Kohli has rubbished the popular perception spread among Indian cricket fans that coach Ravi Shastri has been nothing but his ‘yes man’. The Indian skipper further stated that Shastri’s contributions towards players in tough situations have been significant and he has learned a lot from him.

Apart from their mental, physical and tactical preparations, Kohli was also asked about many other things before he was supposed to leave for Australia for yet another overseas tour. And the skipper decided to seize the moment to clear all misconceptions concerning the Indian team, with the major one being Ravi Shastri’s role in it.

Contrary to popular belief that has been of Shastri of being nothing but a flatterer of Kohli, the skipper revealed that the coach has contradicted him more times than anyone else and he has learned a lot from it.

"It is the most bizarre thing that I have heard. I don't think there is anyone who has said no to me more than him in Indian cricket, honestly. Because he is the one guy I can speak to and get an honest opinion and he will tell me something that doesn't need to be done. I have brought more changes to my game listening to him than anyone else in the past," Kohli said to media, reported TOI.

Kohli went on to pronounce Shastri’s role in the Indian side explaining that his job has been to make players believe and give them the confidence that they can perform at the international level. He also cited the example of Shikhar Dhawan’s crisis in 2015.

"I can vouch for it because at a time when we all went through a really difficult time in England in 2014, he played an important role, for me to be able to come out of that shell. A lot of other players - for instance, Shikhar Dhawan in 2015 - can vouch for that as well. To get the best out of the players - he is the most important factor as far as that is concerned," Kohli added.

India’s tour down under, which is starting from November 21, will see the Men in Blue play three T20Is, four Test matches and there ODIs.