Indian cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri said during an interview that his skipper Virat Kohli was an "uncut diamond" when he first helmed the side in 2014.
In a program that aired on broadcaster Star Sports' Cricket Live, the 58-year old said that Kohli's evolution in the captaincy role, like any other, has been one that took time and did not happen in a hurry.
Shashtri, who took over the reins in 2015 till 2016, is in his second stint as head coach, having replaced Anil Kumble in 2017.
The former all-rounder and commentator added that the ups and downs, successes and failures, the heat faced by a team's captain, and their ability to get up after being knocked down and move on are necessary.
He was of the belief that Kohli handled all of it "beautifully" and was certain that the 'ICC Men's Cricketer of the Decade' would handle his fatherhood in a similar fashion.
Shastri and Kohli's men presently face an uphill task in chasing the 578-run total posted by England in the first innings of the opening Test in Chennai.
Published 07 February 2021, 10:18 IST