MS Dhoni is greatest ever India captain, Virat Kohli on same track: Ravi Shastri

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Colombo, Aug 1: India head coach Ravi Shastri feels current India skipper Virat Kohli can better his predecessor MS Dhoni's record and become country's most successful captain in Tests.

In an interview to Anandabazar Patrika, Shastri told, "The way Virat is progressing, he may well catch up with Dhoni. I have been involved with cricket for 35 years as player, commentator and coach. Apart from Sachin Tendulkar, I have never seen anyone break records like Kohli. He has caught up with many greats, playing just half the number of matches. I wonder where will he stop."

The former India captain reckons Dhoni is still the greatest ever captain country has ever had but Kohli is certainly on the similar track. Off 60 Tests he has led India to, Dhoni won 27 Tests, most by any, lost 18 while 15 games ended in a draw. Dhoni's credentials as an ODI skipper are unparalleled.

"The guy has won two world titles - a World Cup and a World T20. Beside that, he has also finished a runner-up in another World T20. He played in the semi-finals of two other World T20 and World Cups. People often talk about his limited-over record, but compare Dhoni's Test with any captain and it will show who is the greatest ever ," Shari said. "Virat is progressing in the same direction as well," he added.

Kohli has led India to 17 victories in the longer format of the game, lost just three and seven games resulted in a draw. The 28-year-old enjoys as win percent of 62.96 while Dhoni had 45.00.

In an interview to reporters in Sri Lanka, Shastri also praised the present Indian team which is capable of winning in every condition and has already achieved something which no team, comprising legendary players in their long illustrious career, couldn't achieve.

The 55-year-old cited the example of the team's 2-1 series win during its last Sri Lanka visit in 2015, a first in 22 years. Shastri added that several great players were part of the Indian squad during the two decades, yet the team failed to win a series in Sri Lanka.

Shastri asserted that despite several great players being part of the side in the last two decades, Indian teams never managed to win a series in Sri Lanka. But a young team under the leadership of Kohli did it in his first assignment as skipper.

But former India skipper Sourav Ganguly had a few days ago stressed Kohli still has not faced a serious challenge and a real test of his leadership and that will happen when the Delhi-lad leads them on tours outside the subcontinent.

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