After a 71-year-long wait, Team Indian finally won a Test series Down Under which came under Virat Kohli’s captaincy when he led India to a 2-1 series win over Australia in 2018-19. Having already led the team to a 2-1 series win over Australia in 2016/17, Virat is the only Indian skipper to win Test series against Australia, both home and away.
Speaking on the same, head coach Ravi Shastri went on to state that he cannot see Kohli’s feat of winning against Australia both in away and home series being replicated by any other Indian captain for a very long time.
“I cannot see Virat’s feat of winning against Australia both at home and away from being emulated by another Indian captain for a very long time,” Shastri was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au in ‘India’s 71-Year Test: The Journey to Triumph in Australia’ book.
“The satisfaction gained in registering India’s first series win in Australia after 71 years of heartbreak was immense,” the former Indian all-rounder added.
READ MORE: “Can’t see anyone emulating Virat’s feat”: Ravi Shastri on Test series win in Australia
Shastri quipped that the current Indian team deserves respect as a victory in Australia does not come easily.
“The great thing about success in Australia is that it does not come easily. As a professional sportsperson, you know that when you win the hard way, you command respect,” Shastri explained.
“Indian teams have done well in Australia since the turn of the (21st) century but did not have the depth of fast-bowling resources. That is why this Indian team commanded respect from the hard-to-please Aussies like few others in the past.”
However, Ajinkya Rahane can emulate Virat’s feat as the latter is currently on paternity leave. The series is currently tied at 1-1 after India’s 8-wicket triumph in Melbourne in the Boxing-Day Test.