Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has often been credited for playing a vital role in redefining India’s approach to Test cricket during his tenure. Recently, Shastri shared a candid reflection on what inspired him to accept the role of team director back in 2014. In his trademark forthright style, Shastri said, “There were two reasons why I accepted the director’s post for the Indian cricket team. First was they were not playing the way Test cricket should be played — it should be different. And second was Virat Kohli. I said he’s an uncut diamond who I want as my captain.”
Ravi Shastri’s comments underline the foundation of one of the most transformative eras in Indian cricket. When he took over the role in 2014, India’s Test performances, especially overseas, were inconsistent. While the talent was there, the team often lacked aggression, intent, and the hunger to dominate on foreign soil. That’s where Shastri saw a gap — and a chance to bring about change, both in mindset and results.
According to Ravi , the first thing that needed addressing was India’s attitude toward Test cricket. He believed the format was not being approached with the seriousness and fire it deserved. India had been on the receiving end of some painful away defeats — in England, Australia, and South Africa — which exposed a lack of toughness and killer instinct. Shastri, a passionate advocate of Test cricket, wanted to rebuild the Indian side with a brand of cricket that was aggressive, fearless, and most importantly, aimed at winning in all conditions.
That vision, as he explained, needed a leader who embodied those exact values — and that’s where Virat Kohli came in. At the time, Kohli was still carving his path in the Test arena, with MS Dhoni leading the side. But Shastri had already identified Kohli as a special talent. “He was an uncut diamond,” Shastri said. “I wanted him as my captain.”
Under Kohli’s leadership and Shastri’s guidance, India developed a potent fast-bowling unit, a rarity in its cricketing history. Players like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Umesh Yadav were backed to become world-beaters, and they did just that. India won back-to-back Test series in Australia, remained dominant at home, and began challenging opponents in all corners of the world.
Kohli brought an unmatched intensity to the field — from aggressive celebrations to a fitness culture that transformed Indian cricket. Ravi Shastri stood by him through highs and lows, serving as a coach who believed in empowerment, autonomy, and playing with courage.
The Ravi Shastri-Kohli partnership not only brought results but also redefined the way India viewed Test cricket. They weren’t just participants anymore — they were contenders everywhere. While both men have moved on from their roles, the impact they had during their time together remains deeply etched in Indian cricket’s recent history.
Ravi Shastri’s remarks are more than just personal anecdotes — they offer insight into how a strong vision and a bold choice in leadership can reshape the culture of an entire team. In Virat Kohli, Shastri saw not just a batter, but a force of nature — one that could lead India into a new era of Test supremacy. And he wasn’t wrong.