‘I am thankful to Ravi Shastri for sticking by me,’ says Virat Kohli
New Delhi: Indian Test captain Virat Kohli has hailed the BCCI's decision to retain Ravi Shastri as Team Director for the upcoming cricket tour of Bangladesh, saying that the former skipper infuses confidence in the side.
Shastri, who was the Team Director during the tour of Australia and the subsequent World Cup earlier this year, will travel with the team for the Bangladesh tour starting June 10.
(Photo: PTI)
"He is a guy who does not shy away from responsibility. He is someone who takes the blows on the chin. He keeps moving forward," Kohli told ESPNCricinfo's 'The Cricket Monthly'.
Watch: Ravi Shastri misses a bit, forgets to announce man of the match award
"There is no two ways about his thinking. He is the most amazing person to have around this team right now because it is a young unit and the kind of confidence he gives. He has authority; when he speaks people respect him,” Kohli said.
"There is no talk just for the sake of it. He is sensible and something that gives you a lot of confidence and a lot of assurance," he added.
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Kohli said Shastri's mere presence adds a lot to the team. "We would love to have him on board even if he is doing the same job right now. Just to have him around the group is a massive boost for us. To have him around the group in some way would be lovely. To have the head coach or who to have and what to do about is all part of the discussion when we sit down," he said.
Kohli said it was Shastri's advice which turned things around for him during a lean patch last year. "He is the one who suggested I stand in front of the crease and on off stump. I was not convinced to begin with. I was thinking in my head that it might expose my stumps. He said just trust me, do it. I did not do it in England. But I went to Australia and I thought about it," Kohli said.
Read: ‘This is Ravi Shastri, the commentator, speaking’
"I said, why not. I am playing international cricket. I can't be sitting in a comfort zone and let guys dominate me. It came out beautifully. I am thankful to him for sticking by me after England," Kohli concluded.
