Inside story of Virat Kohli's captaincy: 'At times I had to...' - Ravi Shastri shares anecdote

Former India cricket head coach Ravi Shastri has revealed insights about Virat Kohli's leadership style and transformation from an aggressive captain to a more composed player. Speaking on the LiSTNR Sport podcast, discussed how Kohli would confront players over fitness issues and react intensely when wickets fell during his captaincy tenure, which saw India achieve significant milestones including their first Test series win in Australia.

Kohli's evolution from a 20-year-old aggressive player to a 36-year-old seasoned professional has been notable in Indian cricket. His demeanor has shifted from being brash and confrontational to displaying a more measured approach on the field.


Under Kohli's leadership, India implemented the Yo-Yo test as a fitness benchmark for team selection. This marked a new era in Indian cricket where physical fitness became a crucial criterion for players to secure their spots in the national team.

The partnership between Kohli and Shastri led India to unprecedented achievements. During their tenure, India claimed their first-ever Test series victory in Australia and maintained the ICC Test mace for five consecutive years.

Shastri shared specific instances of Kohli's demanding approach towards player fitness on the field. "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'."

The former coach also recalled moments when he had to moderate Kohli's intense reactions to dismissals. "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."

Kohli's captaincy period, while not yielding ICC trophies, laid the foundation for India's recent successes. The team's achievements in the past nine months can be attributed to the standards and systems established during his leadership.

The transformation in Kohli's approach is particularly evident when comparing his current demeanor to footage from the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and subsequent Australian tours. These videos showcase his earlier, more aggressive leadership style.

As captain, Kohli maintained high standards not only for the opposition but also for his own team members. His strict approach towards fitness and performance became a defining characteristic of his leadership era in Indian cricket.

The implementation of fitness standards and the resulting transformation in Indian cricket's approach to physical conditioning remains one of the lasting impacts of the Kohli-Shastri partnership. This shift in focus has continued to influence team selection and performance standards in Indian cricket.
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