Shastri full of praise for Kohli's purple patch

"Virat has hit a purple patch. Terrific batting. If he goes on like this, he will only keep on serving Indian cricket and be beneficial to it," the India team director Shastri has said.

Virat Kohli is the leading run-getter in the IPL this season with 865 runs.

Former India team director Ravi Shastri has showered praise on Virat Kohli for his superlative batting effort in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).

Speaking at a function here on Sunday, Shastri, who is working as a television commentator in the IPL, said Kohli's good form was a good sign for Indian cricket. “Virat has hit a purple patch. Terrific batting. If he goes on like this, he will only keep on serving Indian cricket and be beneficial to it. The kind of batting on offer from him, he will make you stand up and applaud,” said Shastri.

On who could take over as the Indian cricket team's chief coach, Shastri said, “The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) is in the process of taking a decision. Once they take a decision, we can then look into it.”

Sharing his views on Bengal cricket, Shastri wondered why the state did not produce more cricketers. “The interest and passion here is unparalleled. With so much interest, there ought to be more cricketers. When I used to come here as a kid, I used to be amazed by the greenery around the Eden Gardens. There is so much of space to play cricket.”