Ravi Shastri praised Virat Kohli and Steve Smith’s resilience amid challenges, emphasizing their hunger and mental toughness to reclaim top form despite rising competition.
New Delhi: Ravi Shastri, the former Indian cricketer and coach, recently shard some thoughts on the distinctive performances of cricket’s admired “Fab Four”—Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson. He analyzed the fluctuating luck of these players in Test cricket, making special mention of Kohli and Smith’s unfailing dedication and skill which keep them strong on the field. On the other hand, 2024 witnessed unbelievable success for Root and Williamson, with Root clinching six Test centuries and Williamson getting four. Kohli and Smith, nevertheless, scored only one century each, a feat they achieved in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Root’s outstanding performance has cemented his place among the most trusted batsmen in modern cricket, and Williamson remains a picture of elegance and reliability on the pitch.
“I think they (Kohli and Smith) will have slipped down the ranks on current form because you know you’ve got the likes of Root taking off, there’s Williamson doing well, Harry Brook has come onto the scene, you know there are a lot of other young players pushing but these are class players,” Shastri told The ICC Review.
“In a situation like this, you know they’ll be dangerous because they’ll be hungry,” he added.
Kohli and Smith have certainly faced some rough patches this year, with young guns like Harry Brook stealing the limelight. However, these two seasoned cricketers have had their share of shining moments, affirming their positions as some of the cream of the crop in the cricket world.
Shastri gave special recognition to Smith’s undying persistence, particularly highlighting his unyielding performance against India at the Gabba, where he impressively scored his 33rd Test century for Australia.
“What’s needed you saw from Smith. It might have been a struggle early on but he was prepared to play the waiting game and be disciplined,” Shastri noted.
Shastri confidently asserts that Kohli has what it takes to bounce back and perform at his peak. He points out that it’s not Kohli’s abilities that are in question. Rather, it’s about how he handles the tough earlier phases of his innings.
“I think the same with Virat,” Shastri added. “If Virat gets over that first 30, 40 minutes, with serious application and discipline, I don’t think he’s (out of form), none of these guys are out of form.”
Shastri believes that what sets extraordinary players apart from the rest is their relentless passion to win, regardless of the hurdles. He is sure that both players, Kohli and Smith, possess the mental toughness to weather tough times and reclaim their top spots in the game.
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