'Was Ready To Punch': Ravi Shastri Recalls Virat Kohli's Non-Negotiable Stance Over Fitness With Teammates

All eyes will be on Virat Kohli as India are set to face Australia for a three-match OODI series, starting from October 19. The Kohli, along with Rohit Sharma has made his return to the side after a long while and the veteran duo will play under Shubman Gill's captaincy.

Virat's last appearance for India came during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which the Men in Blue won under Rohit's captaincy. Both Virat and Rohit have retired from the Tests and T20I formats. Ahead of the first ODI againt Australia, former India head coach has recalled how Kohli, during his captaincy days, would often have a go at his own teammates.

Shastri highlighted Kohli's intolerance for poor fitness or laziness on the field, especially when it came to the running between the wickets.

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"If you're running between the wickets, and if you're a lazy bugger, you will soon find out. If you are looking for a second run and if you're panting, and if he's looking for a third and you're yet to complete the second, immediately the message would be 'get to that bloody gym and start training, and get fitter'," revealed Shastri.

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Shastri made a massive revelation, saying that there were various instances when Kohli was ready to punch his own teammates if they made a mistake on the field, adding that he had to intervene more often than not.

"At times, I had to calm him down. If a wicket went down, he would jump out of his seat. I would say, 'Calm down. Let him cross halfway at least. Don't meet him when he's just 10 yards away from the stumps, you know. Come near the boundary line, then cross him'. He was like a cat on a hot tin roof, ready to get out there and punch him. That's Virat for you," he added.

Kohli, who faced massive criticism for his disappointing form with the bat during the Test series in Australia, will be looking to come up with an improved effort in the ODIs in order to keep his chances alive for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027.