Virat Kohli recalls Ravi Shastri’s pep talk from 2014

Speaking during the launch event of Ravi Shastri’s new book, incumbent Indian skipper Virat Kohli recalled the latter’s first speech from 2014.  Shastri, who took over the reins from Anil Kumble after India lost the final of the Champions Trophy 2017, was appointed as full-time head coach in the same year.

Ever since then, India has scripted victories in Border-Gavaskar Trophy twice (2018-19 and 2021-21) apart from defeating England and South Africa in home and West Indies away. The team also qualified for the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship final, where they lost to New Zealand.

In an #Exclusive conversation with TIMES NOW, Indian Cricket Team Captain #ViratKohli (@imVkohli) talks about Coach #RaviShastri’s (@RaviShastriOfc) journey.

‘Ravi’s experience has been priceless for us and they continue to be’, says Kohli.

Listen in. pic.twitter.com/hoh7yKDOIM

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) September 1, 2021

It is no secret that Kohli and Shastri share a special bond. Both similar and in-your-face men have led to a massive shift in the culture of Indian cricket, with the team gaining stellar achievements in the last half a decade.

Never heard someone speak with so much determination and positivity: Virat Kohli

Recalling his first instance with Ravi Shastri from 2014, Kohli stated that he shook after hearing Shastri’s inimitable voice.

“His experiences have been priceless for us and they continue to be. I will say a few words on our working relationship, our bond over the years. Started in 2014, I met him many times because he was the most prominent voice in cricket from India and worldwide. We always look forward to his commentary skills. We actually started working together then,” Kohli said at the book launch event.

“I remember in 2014 he gave us a pep talk for the first time. We were a bit down as a team and things were not happening well and he was brought in, he was brought in for the second time to set things right. In his first speech he gave, the first word he said was ‘boys’ in the voice that only he can generate. And I clearly remember, I was sitting down and my body shook because I had never heard someone speak so clearly and with so much determination and positivity,” the Indian skipper added.

“All I can say is that our working relationship has been built on trust and mutual respect, on a vision that has been shared. The only focus is to take Indian cricket higher and in a better place. Both of us together along with the brilliance of the whole team and the talent we have been blessed with, I think we have been able to achieve that and it’s something we are proud of,” Kohli signed off.