IND vs NZ: Former India coach Ravi Shastri compares Virat Kohli to Ronaldo, Djokovic and Nadal

Ravi Shastri reveals what Virat Kohli brings to the table. (ICC Photo)

IND vs NZ: Ravi Shastri, former India cricketer and head coach praised star batter Virat Kohli for his energy ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand. Shastri said that the energy Kohli provides and shows is comparable to some of the biggest athletes in the world.

Currently, Kohli has 217 runs in the 2025 edition of ICC Champions Trophy but the former India coach said it is not just his bat from which he contributes to the team, but also his energy on the field while fielding

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“You know people (like to) watch sport when they watch a sportsman with energy,” Shastri said to the ICC Review. “Whether his name is (Cristiano) Ronaldo or it’s (Lionel) Messi or whether it’s a (Novak) Djokovic or whether it’s (Rafael) Nadal, that energy that they bring in – there’s a certain kind of charisma and it rubs off on other people. They want to watch this guy play.”

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri pinpoints why Virat Kohli is the undisputed king of ODIs More https://t.co/rYREUb4nks#ChampionsTrophy #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/BYhLA9P87M
ICC (@ICC) March 9, 2025

What sets Kohli apart from rest of the pack?

Shastri discussed what made Kohli exceptional in ODIs and how returning to his strengths helped him overcome a prolonged slump.

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“I thought he tried to get ahead of himself in the last three or four years, where he was trying to outdo what he’s good at and sometimes, it can catch up on you. But he’s back to what he does best, which is take the singles, hit the ball along the ground, if necessary, go for the big one. Some of the greatest players who played the one-day game, especially in the chase, are guys who can do that,” said Shastri.

He then added, “When you pick up singles with ease, there’s no pressure. And then when you have another guy at the other end, someone like Shreyas (Iyer) who comes and smacks it, it takes the pressure off, it becomes easier.”