Australia vs India 2018-19: It takes some serious marbles: Ravi Shastri on Virat Kohli's Leadership

The head coach of the Indian National Cricket team, Ravi Shastri hailed the leadership quality of Virat Kohli saying that his passion fires up the Indian team in its quest for success. Meanwhile, Kohli became the first-ever India skipper to lead a side to Test series win in 74 years as they beat the hosts 2-1.

Virat Kohli & Co received severe criticisms after they lost out the series in South Africa and England. The management’s selection procedure and tactical moves came under the scanner last year. Notably, Sunil Gavaskar slammed Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli after they lost to England 1-4 last year. However, they have turned the tides in their favour to create history.

Shastri, a tough cricketer in his time, a seasoned broadcaster and now a coach who is popular with his men, said few international cricket captains match Kohli’s passion on the field.

“I have seen very few international cricket captains have that kind of passion when one goes out in the middle,” Shastri told India Today in an exclusive interview. “Yes, one’s personality can be different, some may be quiet, some may be reserved. But this guy is in your face. What it does is that it sends a message to the opposition, it sends a message to your dressing room,” he added.

Ravi Shastri said players in the Indian dressing room now want to emulate their captain and youngsters taking their first step in international cricket feels more confident watching Virat Kohli.

“As a player in the team, you want to emulate him, you want to get behind him. It makes the team more confident, the youngsters more confident. Players who come into the team and pick it up straight away. It makes a world of difference. That passion and the drive give confidence to the bowlers. It serves more than one role,” Shatri continues.

“When you see him on the field with that kind of passion, where he is so expressive.. it makes a world of difference. Every time he goes out to bat, the whole Australian team wants him to get out. But to take that kind of pressure and lead from the from… it takes some serious marbles,” Shastri concluded.