Ravi Shastri Backs Virat Kohli’s Decision To Step Down As T20I Skipper

Dec 8, 2021 at 2:48 PM

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Ravi Shastri Backs Virat Kohli’s Decision To Step Down As T20I Skipper

Ravi Shastri agreed ‘100 percent’ with Virat Kohli’s decision to give up India’s T20I captaincy, as the former India all-rounder gave examples of Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar, mentioning how they did the same to get the most out of their careers.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has given his take on Virat Kohli’s captaincy and backed his decision to step down as India’s T20I skipper. Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli’s association has worked wonders for Team India, with the team playing some of its best cricket during their partnership.

Ravi Shastri has weighed in on Virat Kohli's captaincy and his decision to step down as India's T20I skipper. (Getty)
Ravi Shastri has weighed in on Virat Kohli’s captaincy and his decision to step down as India’s T20I skipper. (Getty)

Ravi Shastri: Virat Kohli Has Been A Tactically Sound Captain

Weighing in on Virat Kohli’s captaincy, Ravi Shastri explained that it is easy to point out the flaws on the basis of the results, but what the Indian star has achieved during his tenure is something to be proud of.

“At the end of the day, he has been a tactically sound captain. Efficient. People will always judge you by results, or not by how you got the runs, but by how many runs you scored. He has evolved well; he has matured as a player. It is not easy being captain of the Indian team. He should feel proud of what he has achieved,” Ravi Shastri said in an interview.

India's Virat Kohli. Credit: Reuters Photo
India’s Virat Kohli. Credit: Reuters Photo

With Virat Kohli announcing his decision to step down as India’s T20I captain after the conclusion of the T20I World Cup, Ravi Shastri backed the 33-year-old for making the call. Rohit Sharma was assigned skipper for the next New Zealand bilateral T20I series and maybe the skipper in ODIs too for the next South Africa tour.

Ravi Shastri: Sunil Gavaskar And Sachin Tendulkar Also Gave Up Captaincy To Prolong Their Careers And Concentrate On Their Batting

Agreeing ‘100 percent’ with Virat Kohli’s decision, the former India all-rounder gave examples of the great Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar, mentioning how they did the same(relinquishing captaincy) to get the most out of their careers.

“One hundred percent. It has happened to the best. I remember Sunny (Gavaskar) giving up [captaincy] to concentrate on his batting; Sachin Tendulkar did the same to prolong his career,” added Ravi Shastri.

Sachin Tendulkar with Sunil Gavaskar. (Reuters Photo)
Sachin Tendulkar with Sunil Gavaskar. (Reuters Photo)

Virat Kohli finished as India’s second-most successful captain in T20Is after MS Dhoni, having led the team in 50 matches, winning 32 of them and losing 16. With a win percentage of 64.58, Virat Kohli’s tenure came to an end with India’s final match of the 2021 T20I World Cup – against Namibia which the Men in Blue won comfortably by nine wickets to bow out of the T20I World Cup on a high.

Skipper Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri had worked together as captain and coach since 2017 for four years, during which Indian cricket achieved phenomenal success. However, their stint ended on a disappointing note, with India getting knocked out of the 2021 T20I World Cup, failing to qualify for the semifinals for the first time in eight ICC events.

Ravi Shastri had initially become the director of the Indian cricket team in 2014 for a period of eight months from India’s tour of England till the 2015 World Cup, alongside Duncan Fletcher. He then had sole responsibility till 2016, and the 2016 World T20 saw India reach the semifinals again.

Ravi Shastri was removed in 2016 when Anil Kumble took over, but on July 13, 2017, he was appointed the head coach of the Indian team officially, reuniting with Virat Kohli to forge a vibrant partnership. With Ravi Shastri as a coach, India won two away series in Australia before reaching the finals of the World Test Championship last month.

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