Virat Kohli’s brutality and mistreatment of players exposed in shocking revelation by Ravi Shastri
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Ravi Shastri, the former Indian coach and one of the most successful in the longest format of the game, was part of the Indian team throughout most of Virat Kohli's career as the Indian skipper. He has opened up on Kohli's antics and revealed that he had to calm the player at times and stop him from having a go at his own players.
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli is making his much-awaited return to the Indian team, as he has been picked for the upcoming tour to Australia. The player, once known for his aggression and attitude, has now been transformed into a calm and composed cricketer.
However, such a long career spanning over decades and the maturity of a 36-year-old have transformed Kohli into what he is today. However, previously, he was the most brash and arrogant youngster on the field for the Men in Blue.
Virat Kohli's 'fitness first' approach revealed with a new twist by former coach
Even today, when the former India skipper's clips from the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the series following it resurface on the internet, it brings back fond memories and displays his ruthlessness as a Captain on the field.
Former coach Ravi Shastri was the most successful coach-captain with Virat Kohli during India's rise to No. 1 Test rankings and their unbeaten series streak against teams like Australia and England. He didn't even spare his own players at times, as Shastri reveals.
"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'," Shastri said on the LiSTNR Sport podcast.
"Ready to get out there and punch him. That's Virat for you," said Ravi Shastri
It was during their period as the Captain and Coach of the Indian team that Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri elevated Indian cricket to new standards and introduced the Yo-Yo Test, which marked a benchmark to qualify for the Indian team.
They beat Australia for the first time in a Test series on Australian soil and won the ICC Test Mace for five years straight; however, they could not get their hands on an ICC Trophy, having missed out on semi-finals as well as finals.
Shastri recalled several instances when Kohli did not hesitate to have a go at his own players after they made a mistake, which required him to intervene.
"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 halfway 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," added Shastri.
Virat Kohli returns to Indian cricket, ending a gap of 232 days
Virat Kohli last played for India back in the ICC Champions Trophy final of 2025. The ICC tournament was held in February-March, and since then, he has not played any games for the Men in Blue.
Despite no ODI action in all these months, he remains the no. 5-ranked batter on the ICC ODI Rankings. He will be back in action with the upcoming ODI tour in Australia and will end his absence of over 232 days. However, his participation in the 2027 World Cup remains uncertain.
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