Former India cricketer Ravi Shastri served as Team Director from 2014-16 before being appointed Head Coach in 2017.
It was widely believed that Virat Kohli strongly backed Shastri’s appointment following a reported rift with former coach Anil Kumble. Before the crucial 2018 Australia tour, Kohli was asked if Shastri was merely a “yes man.”
Kohli quickly dismissed the notion, calling it “the most bizarre thing” he’d ever heard. “I don’t think there’s anyone in Indian cricket who has said ‘no’ to me more than him,” Kohli said. “He’s the one person I can speak to and get an honest opinion. I’ve made more changes to my game listening to him than anyone else,” Kohli shared.
Shastri and Kohli worked together as coach and captain from 2017 to 2021. During their tenure, India excelled, particularly in Test cricket, winning 22 out of 39 matches. They also dominated white-ball formats, with 44 wins in 67 ODIs and 30 wins in 47 T20Is.
The duo’s most significant achievement was leading India to their first-ever Test series win on Australian soil in 2021, and maintaining the top spot in Test rankings from 2017 to 2021.