Virat is like a beast on the field but off the field, he is totally opposite: Ravi Shastri

Former cricketer and head coach of the India team Ravi Shastri has praised Virat Kohli saying that he is like a beast on the field but when it comes to off the field, he Is completely opposite.

He spoke to Shoaib Akhtar on the former Pakistan bowler's YouTube channel about the Indian cricket team’s current challenge to choose a new captain.

Shastri said, “Virat is like a beast on the field. He is a terrier. Once he enters the ground, he wants to compete and is not worried about anybody. He is in-your-face and passionate. Off the field, he is totally opposite. "Absolutely calm, chilled... there is no issue with him.”

Shastri said that Kohli is 33 and has been contributing as a captain. “The challenge comes when you are not a captain after a span of time. Then to still have the energy to play as a player, get runs, and help India win. If he does that, he would have completed a full circle," Shastri added.

On the other hand, he found Rohit Sharma a laid back player but he complemented Rohit by saying that once he comes in full flow, there are very few batsmen who play like him.

Shastri said, "Now, Rohit is laid back. It was sometimes that you got the feeling that the game came too easy to him, till he realised that 'God has given me this gift and now let me also work harder and make the most of it'. And when in full flow, there are few batters who play like him”