Virat Kohli's growth in last 10 years has been phenomenal, he keeps evolving: Rahul Dravid

Incumbent India head coach Rahul Dravid has heaped praises on Test skipper Virat Kohli for his tremendous growth as a player in the longest format of the game. Dravid is currently with the team in South Africa, where India will play three Tests and as many ODIs from December 26 to January 23.

Dravid recalled he was a part of Kohli’s debut Test, which came against West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2011, when the youngster returned with scores of 4 and 15. Dravid, notably, ended up as the Player of the Match in the encounter for his 40 and match-winning 112.

“I was there when Virat Kohli made his debut, I was there when he played his first Test match and I batted with him in that particular game,” Dravid told bcci.tv.

The 47-year-old credited Kohli for introducing a culture of fitness in the team, while he appreciated him for being an inspirational leader who has taken the team to great heights under his reign.

“It is actually phenomenal to see how he has grown as a cricketer in the last 10 years, just the kind of performances he has had for the team. The way he has led the team and it has been terrific. He has driven a culture of fitness and energy levels among the team. I am looking forward to work with him, he just keeps evolving and he keeps pushing himself,” he said.

South Africa is a challenging place to play cricket: Rahul Dravid

Dravid, who is on his first overseas assignment after having taken over the role of the head coach from Ravi Shastri, termed South Africa a “very challenging” but “great country” to play cricket. He looked back at his time in the country, including winning a Test as captain and proceeding to the 2003 ODI World Cup final.

“It has been a great country to tour and a very challenging place to play cricket but also an exciting place to play the game. I have some fond memories associated with playing in South Africa, having won Test match here as a captain,” Dravid, who commenced his coaching stint successfully with India winning the home T20I (3-0) and Test series (1-0) against New Zealand, said.

“Had some tough games here also, we reached the final of the 2003 World Cup, that was a really good memory. So it is a place that is very passionate about their cricket, games are well supported and well attended. Really looking forward to the series.

“There is an expectation to win now, every time India travels abroad irrespective where it is and whatever format we are playing, the expectation is that we are good enough to win and compete. It is not easy, South Africa is one of the challenging conditions to play cricket in, they do play well at home so we need to be at our best to win here,” he added.