Shastri defends Virat’s aggressive attitude on field, terms Dhoni retirement as “selfless act”

The new Indian Test captain Virat Kohli's aggressive attitude on the field has been strongly defended by team director Ravi Shastri, who says that it brings out the best in him, says a report in The Hindu.

Quoting an interview to PTI, The Hindu writes that Shastri said the aggressive streak is working wonders for Kohli the batsman, who has already struck three hundreds in the ongoing Test series. He said the whole of Australia was admiring him for the way he is playing.

According to the report, Shastri also paid tribute to Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who took a shock retirement from Test cricket, saying that his "selfless act" of retiring from the five-day format at the right time should be given its due respect. He also strongly rebutted reports that the growing closeness between him and Kohli resulted in Dhoni quitting Test cricket with immediate effect.

According to a report in Hindustantimes Times, Shastri told PTI that Dhoni took everyone by surprise. “The match was over and he had finished his post-match commitments. And he came to the dressing room and said that his time in Test cricket was up. It was just a shock to us all. And the way he said it, it was obvious that it was a well thought-out decision. He didn't even inform his family but told his team-mates first. He was honest with us and honest with himself. His esteem in my eyes has just shot up by 20-25 notches,” said Shastri, adding that this news was a bolt from the blue for all.

“He knew what words to say and he was honest about it. Dhoni is an all-time Indian legend, a cricket great. And this team sees him like one and not only for what he has done. He hasn't chased statistics or numbers or fanfare farewell. He was honest with himself and they respect him for it. This is a young team and an example has been set in front of them and it's a great learning for them.”

According to Financial Express, Shatri was quoted saying that it had been a hard job for Dhoni. “In overseas Test cricket it's all about taking those 20 wickets. Recently they have been coming close but were unable to win. They should have won in South Africa and also in New Zealand. Here in Australia too they have competed well in all three matches and could have won any of them. It's a young side which is still learning.”