Credit: ICC
Virat Kohli led Team India in Tests from 2015 to 2022 and during this period, India achieved some sensational success in the format. In 2017, Ravi Shastri became the head coach of the team and the duo of Kohli-Shastri helped India taste victories in red-ball competitions in overseas conditions, as well. Before their alliance, India recorded some humiliating defeats on foreign soil. The duo’s notable triumphs for India were the win in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2018-19 and the levelled Pataudi Trophy (now known as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy) in 2021-22.
Recently, Shastri spoke to Sky Sports and appreciated Virat Kohli’s performance as captain and batter from 2015 to 2022. The ex-India coach highlighted the veteran’s efforts in Australia, England, South Africa as well. “I would say Kohli, the batsman in his pomp, was unbelievable because in those five years when India were No. 1 in the red-ball format. Some of the innings he played in Australia, South Africa, England, across formats were unreal. “It was great. I mean, he was the one man I identified who would lead the team, and I wanted him to lead the team. Once I took over the job, and once Dhoni had finished, he did a magnificent job. I think his first skills as a batsman, his ability to dominate, be in the face, play hard but play fair, and wanting to win and take the game forward,” said Shastri.
Ravi Shastri believes Shubman Gill to have a long stint as Test captain
Talking about India’s recent Test performances, Ravi Shastri said Shubman Gill will lead India for a long time and the 25-year-old’s performance in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 corroborates that. “No question, Shubman Gill he’ll be around for a long, long time because we’ve seen what kind of series he’s had here. I think he’s only 25 years of age, and as you know, with this exposure, he’ll get even better,” added Shastri.
Shubman Gill looked brilliant as captain in the series against England. Playing at number four for the first time, Gill showed that he is the right person to replace legends such as Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli in the crucial middle-order spot. The youngster smashed 754 runs in 10 innings of five matches and became the player of the series for India.
