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Former India head coach Ravi Shastri formed a formidable partnership with Virat Kohli when the latter was captain in all formats. Kohli wanted the fitness standards to be raised and led by example. Others followed but those who didn’t were under Kohli’s radar as he would ask them to go to the gym and train. Shastri recalled how slow running between the wickets would irk Kohli and he would not shy away from giving a straightforward instruction to improve fitness standards.
"He would show them up otherwise. Because if you're running between the wicket, and if you’re a lazy bugger, you will soon find out. If you are looking for a second run and if you're panting, and if he's looking for a third and you're yet to complete the second, immediately the message would be 'get to that bloody gym and start training, and get fitter'," Shastri said on the LiSTNR Sport podcast.
When Shastri stopped Kohli from having a go at players
With Shastri at helm of things, India could not win an ICC trophy as their drought continued after ICC Champions Trophy 2013 triumph. However, India dominated in Tests, won Border-Gavaskar Trophy twice on Australian soil. Shastri recalled a time when he had to calm down Kohli when the batter would make a mistake and lose his wicket.
"At times, I had to calm him down. If a wicket went down, he would jump out of his seat. I would say, 'Calm down. Let him cross half-way at least. Don't meet him when he's just 10 yards away from the stumps, you know. Come near the boundary line, then cross him'. He was like a cat on a hot tin roof, ready to get out there and punch him. That's Virat for you," added Shastri.
Kohli set for ODI resumption
Kohli is now gearing up for the three-ODI series against Australia, starting October 19 in Perth. Retired from T20Is and Tests, Kohli is eager to perform as he intends to play ODIs till the World Cup 2027 in South Africa. After the Australia tour, India will face South Africa and New Zealand in ODI series as well.
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