‘How dare you say that…’: Ishant Sharma on Virat Kohli’s culture shift in Team India

Devansh Poddar

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‘How dare you say that…’: Ishant Sharma on Virat Kohli’s culture shift in Team India image

Virat Kohli, is often known for his grit, determination, and unwavering spirit, which continues to inspire the youth even today. 

Kohli played a significant role in taking India to much greater heights as the side's captain and helped in the revival of the purest form of cricket - 'Test Cricket'. He also ended as India's most successful red-ball captain.

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Indian pacer Ishant Sharma has now remarked on the cultural shift in Team India under Kohli, as he mentioned that the Indian legend helped the side develop a new attitude. 

Ishant Sharma praised Virat Kohli for developing a new attitude in the team 

Taking over the reign of Indian cricket from the great MS Dhoni, Kohli added immense value to the side, also inflicting a change in the attitude of the Indian players. Under Kohli, India became one of the best touring teams and played a fearless brand of cricket. 

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Ishant Sharma, on his recent podcast with Raj Shamani, opened up on the attitude change that took place in the Indian team after the Indian legend took over the leadership role. 

"Since 2015, when Virat Kohli became the captain and Ravi Shastri was the coach, a new attitude developed in our team. If any opposition player said something to even one of our players, the whole team would stand up against them and give it back. All 15-16 players in the squad would speak up and wouldn’t hold back, making it clear - "How dare you say that to our player?” They wouldn’t let it slide," said Sharma. 

Kohli took over the Indian red-ball side in 2015, when MS Dhoni retired from the longest format mid-series in Australia. His impact was immediately visible on the side as they became more fearless and were ready to on battles on the field. 

Under Virat, India broke several records, including consecutive Test series victories in Australia. India also achieved their first-ever Test series win in Australia under his reign. The Indian legend also led India on a wonderful away Test tour in England, which ended with a result of 2-2.

While India failed to win ICC trophies under Kohli, their records across formats were spectacular. In a total of 213 international matches as the Indian captain, he led India to victories in 135 games, ending with a magnificent win percentage of nearly 60. 

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Kohli ended as India's most successful and celebrated Test captain. The Indian legend now features only in ODIs and has given up on Tests and T20Is for India. His next assignment is against Australia, as Team India travels to play a 3-match ODI series. 

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Devansh Poddar

Devansh Poddar is a content producer for The Sporting News' India edition.