Virat Kohli shares a lot of similarities with Pakistani great Imran Khan: Ravi Shastri

The Indian team along with the coaching staff have returned from the Rainbow nation, after delivering a staggering and dominant performance, especially through the limited overs format. Indian captain Virat Kohli under the thorough guidance of head coach Ravi Shastri compiled together to win the first ever ODI and T20I series against the Proteas on their home turf. The victory was a hard fought battle as the team came after the Test series loss and laid the foundation of the fightback with the motivational win in the third Test in Johannesburg.

Indian team coach Ravi Shastri hailed the Indian skipper for his phenomenal intensity while batting and then leading the boys from the front on the field, which gave the entire team the belief to win from every stage.

Virat reminds me of Imran Khan: Shastri

Virat has so far led the Indian team in 49 ODIs in which he has won 38 of them and has sensed the defeat in just 10 matches, which means the run machine skipper has had a budding captaincy career so far. Shastri feels that Virat can still be compared with the great skipper of all-time due to his historical achievements. The head coach also mentioned looking at the Indian captain’s style and way of leading this team, he seeks some sought of resemblance with former Pakistan legendary captain Imran Khan. He reckoned that Imran also led his team in a similar energetic fashion as Virat does on the field.

“It’s still early days for Virat. He is still very very young. But he is already there among the very best. He wants to lead by example. He reminds me a lot of Imran. He is still very young but he has got a lot of qualities that Imran had when it came to leading a side. Which is great,” said Shastri in a conversation as quoted by the Indian Express.

He wants to only win in a domineering manner

The 29-year Indian skipper led his side to a conquering 5-1 ODI series win and then the 2-1 T20I series against the home African team in a dominant fashion. Shastri hailed Virat for his ardent attitude of wanting to compete in every condition and even during the intense pressure situations in a game. The 29-year carries that motivational belief in the entire dressing room which compels the other members to perform in the same manner.

“Just the ability to always want to dominate, want to compete, irrespective of whatever conditions you get, believe that you can do it and when you have that kind of quality it spreads among the other players as well. And that was very similar to the way Imran led,” further added the Indian head coach.