'It's Phenomenal': Rahul Dravid On Virat Kohli's Transformation As Batsman In Internationals

Virat Kohli "has driven a culture of fitness, energy, and ambition within the team, which from the outside has been fascinating to watch" said Rahul Dravid.

Image: AFP

India's coach Rahul Dravid has praised captain Virat Kohli by terming his cricketing journey as 'phenomenal'. Rahul Dravid was speaking ahead of the first Test match between India and South Africa. 

Rahul Dravid remembered Virat Kohli's debut Test match in 2011 against West Indies in Jamaica. In this match, Rahul Dravid scored a hundred to steer India to a victory. Kohli had a partnership of 43 runs in this match. 

"I was there when he (Virat Kohli) played his first Test match and I batted with him in that particular game. It is phenomenal, 10 years later, how he has grown as a cricketer and as a person," Rahul Dravid said in a video on BCCI.tv. 

"Just the kind of performances he has had, the matchwinning performances with the bat, have been terrific. The way he lead the team, the success have been terrific," said the Indian coach. 

"He has driven a culture of fitness, energy, and ambition within the team, which from the outside has been fascinating to watch. Now I am in the team and will do everything possible to help the team. He has always improved and constantly got better," Dravid said. 

.@imVkohli's transformation 👏
Excitement about SA challenge 👌
Initial few months as Head Coach ☺️

Rahul Dravid discusses it all as #TeamIndia gear up for the first #SAvIND Test in Centurion. 👍 👍

Watch the full interview 🎥 🔽https://t.co/2H0FlKQG7q pic.twitter.com/vrwqz5uQA8

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 25, 2021

Dravid is currently with the team that will go out to play the first Test at Centurion. About playing in South Africa, Dravid said, "It's been a great country to tour and a very challenging place to play cricket, but also really exciting place to play cricket."

"As a coach, my expectations are boys prepare well and compete. As a coach, that's all I expect to do," he added.