5 things India gained from the Ravi Shastri era

# 4 Virat Kohli-Version 2.0

Virat Kohli has evolved as a player under Ravi Shastri

Right from the day Virat Kohli made his first appearance for the Indian team, he looked like a confident young man. He had an upturned collar, tattooed arms and a gait that would have put even the ever swaggering Sir Viv Richards to shame. His consistent performances over the years only added to his aura.

Before the test series versus England in July 2014, he was being touted as the best batsman in world cricket. The English team, though, had other ideas. They found a minor chink in Virat’s armour and exploited it to the hilt.

The English seamers realised that India’s star batsman was susceptible to deliveries bowled outside the off stump. 5 tests later, the cricketing world could barely believe what they saw. The all-conquering Delhi dasher accumulated a mere 134 runs in 5 tests at a meagre average of 13.40. In 10 innings over the series, the 27-year old was dismissed in the region of wicket-keeper to slip a staggering 7 times.

Both Virat and his team looked up to Ravi Shastri to restore their confidence, which was in doldrums, following the drubbing they received in the test series. Shastri’s appointment did not have an instant impact on Kohli’s batting as he continue to struggle in the subsequent ODI series versus England. However, come December 2014 and a few months into the director’s tenure, the Indian vice-captain seemed to have rediscovered his swaggering self.

In the test series versus Australia, Kohli aggregated 692 runs at a staggering average of 86.50 which included 4 centuries against arguably the best bowling attack in the world. The conclusion of the Australia series also meant that the reins of the Indian test team were handed over to Virat due to MS Dhoni’s retirement. The cricketing world then witnessed the rise of Virat Kohli the leader. Along with Shastri, he scripted two emphatic triumphs over Sri Lanka and South Africa which took India atop the ICC Test rankings.

In the recently concluded World T20, the Indian test captain bagged the Man of the Tournament award for a brilliant 273 runs in 5 games at an astounding average of 136.50 and a strike rate of 146.77. His off-side game was particularly delightful to watch. Against some of the best bowlers in the world, he kept dishing out the cover drive, almost at will. Ravi Shastri’s influence in the rejuvenation of India’s most vital player could be clearly seen.