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Shastri, Kohli challenge each other but there is respect between them: Slater

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 8/5/2020 9:29:57 AM

New Delhi, Aug 4 Former Australia batsman Michael Slater heaped praise on his "great mate" Ravi Shastri for the way he has changed the "tempo" of Indian cricket with captain Virat Kohli. Slater said Shastri and Kohli's working relationship has worked so well because there is a lot of respect between the two despite having difference in opinions from time to time. Shastri and Kohli are both fiery characters who like to challenge themselves, Slater felt. “Ravi and Virat probably challenge each other enough but there is such respect between them that it works. If Ravi is nodding his head when Virat is speaking and vice versa, the rest of them even if they don’t agree would be nodding their heads," Slater said on Star Sports' show Cricket Connected. "Both of them have their hearts on their sleeves. I have worked with Ravi for so long in the commentary box, so I have got to know him and he was one of my great mates when we worked together. He is a big personality. “But obviously there are subtle differences that allows them to really work well together. But it has been a great synergy and a great relationship and I think it has helped Indian cricket’s tempo,” Slater said. Shastri was appointed head coach of the Indian team after Anil Kumble resigned from the post in 2017 due to 'untenable differences' with captain Kohli. His tenure was extended for 2 years last year, till the T20 World Cup in India next year. But even before his reappointment it was Kohli who had said that Shastri's extension would make him happy which titled the scales in the former all-rounder's.