The Kohli-Shastri relationship
In Livemint, Ayaz Memon looks at the developing relationship between India Test captain Virat Kohli and team director Ravi Shastri
11-Jun-2015
Mutual respect: Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri • PTI
The nexus between Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri is that of similar mindsets and personalities, writes Ayaz Memon in Livemint. Both are aggressive and passionate, and their partnership can have a huge impact on Indian cricket going forward. Memon says that while both are strong personalities, Shastri also believes in the primacy of the captain's position.
I've spent a couple of evenings with Shastri in the past few months discussing cricket. He has not only expressed great faith in Kohli's ability to make a lot of runs and lead the team with distinction, but found himself reliving his younger days through him. "I see so much of myself in him,'" Shastri said. "He is passionate, aggressive, speaks his mind, willing to take the fight to the opposition and cares a fig about what people think about the way he lives his life. That requires self-belief.".
In Livemint again, Venkat Ananth tracks Shastri's equation with the BCCI over the years and how he has come to be so indispensable for the board.
His stint as a broadcaster, coupled with his stature as a reputed former cricketer, would change Shastri forever. Along with his mentor, the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, Shastri would emerge as the familiar voice of Indian cricket. His rise as a commentator meant that in Shastri, the BCCI saw a man who could speak well for them in public.