Former India cricketer Ravi Shastri served as the Indian Team Director from 2014 to 2016 and was later appointed as Head Coach in 2017. His appointment as coach reportedly came after a rift between Virat Kohli and former coach Anil Kumble, with Kohli allegedly pushing for Shastri’s inclusion. As the team prepared for a crucial tour of Australia in 2018, Kohli faced questions from the media about whether Shastri was merely a “yes man” to him.

Shastri, known for his fiery personality during his playing days, shared a similar attitude to Kohli, sparking interest in their dynamic. When asked about Shastri potentially being a “yes man,” Kohli quickly dismissed the notion, calling it the “most bizarre thing” he’d ever heard.

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“Honestly, I don’t think anyone has said no to me more than him,” Kohli said. “He’s the one person I can speak to and get an honest opinion. If something doesn’t need to be done, he’ll tell me directly. I’ve made more changes to my game by listening to him than to anyone else,” Virat Kohli remarked, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

The Shastri-Kohli partnership spanned from 2017 to 2021, a period during which Kohli took over as India’s full-time captain across formats. Though their tenure had its share of heartbreaks—such as the 2017 Champions Trophy final loss, the 2019 World Cup semi-final defeat, and the 2021 T20 World Cup exit—it was also a time of great success, especially in Test cricket.

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Under Shastri’s guidance, India won 22 out of 39 Tests, establishing dominance in the longest format. The team also excelled in limited-overs cricket, securing 44 wins in 67 ODIs and 30 victories in 47 T20Is. Their crowning achievement came in 2021 when India became the first subcontinent team to win a Test series in Australia. During this period, India also held the top spot in Test cricket from 2017 to 2021.