Virat Kohli a great ambassador for Test cricket: Ravi Shastri

Hyderabad: Former Indian team coach Ravi Shastri lavished praises on Virat Kohli, who is set to appear in his 100th Test for the country when India take on Sri Lanka in the first Test in Mohali on Friday. Shastri, who was in Hyderabad to inaugurate Coaching Beyond cricket academy, said playing 100 Tests for a […]

Hyderabad: Former Indian team coach Ravi Shastri lavished praises on Virat Kohli, who is set to appear in his 100th Test for the country when India take on Sri Lanka in the first Test in Mohali on Friday.

Shastri, who was in Hyderabad to inaugurate Coaching Beyond cricket academy, said playing 100 Tests for a country is a remarkable achievement. “It is a remarkable achievement to play the 100th Test and to be labelled a great of the game when he still has six to seven years left in him to keep playing at the highest level,” Shastri said.

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Kohli, who is going through a lean patch without an international hundred for over two years know, hope to make it special in his 100th Test. Speaking about Kohli’s form, “Everyone goes through a lean patch. I am sure Virat will come out of this soon. That he still averages 50-plus in all three formats is truly remarkable,” he said. “Virat’s passion for red-ball cricket is truly amazing. He is a great ambassador of Test cricket. His time will come again soon,” Shastri said.

He also praised G Hanuma Vihari saying that he is a player for the future. “I strongly believe Vihari, not because he is from Hyderabad, is one player who can be there for another 10 years given the kind of talent he has,” he said.

On naming next generation super stars of Indian cricket on the lines of Sachin, Dhoni, Virat, Shastri recalled VVS Laxman (now Director of NCA) statement that it was important to focus on the players more between 19 and 23 years.

“Yes, unless someone is 26, we cannot pass a judgement. Well, if someone is a genius like Sachin.. We should give youngsters time to evolve. There are many youngsters who have the ability to make it big,” he concluded.

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