Mohammed Azharuddin lashes out at Ravi Shastri's praise for Virat Kohli's Team India

New Delhi: Team India head coach Ravi Shastri’s over-the-top praise for Virat Kohli boys has garnered criticism from many. The former team India director in his statement belittled the team of the past, which did not please Mohammed Azharuddin.

He's being disrespectful to himself as well, as he has been part of Indian teams of the past. But you can't stop people from commenting," the former India skipper said.

“Sometimes I don't know why people make such comments. I don't think such comments deserve a reaction from me. He has been part of sides of the past as well. So, I will leave it at that," Azhar added.

When questioned about how the duo of India captain Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri would fare abroad, Azharrudin pointed out to the team’s struggles in tough conditions.

"We will have to wait and watch. Sri Lanka has been a poor side. It's not India's fault, so taking nothing away from them. But when the ball swings and seams, we will have to do well. We saw in the Champions Trophy as well, we struggled. When the ball moves, India have to deliver," the former India captain concluded.

Ravi Shastri was all praise for the Indian cricket team after they clinched a comprehensive victory against Sri Lanka in the first Test.

"This Indian team has been with each other for two years and they are much more experienced now. They have already done things that a lot of other Indian teams and a lot of big names couldn't do in their careers, for example, winning a series here in Sri Lanka (in 2015)," Shastri said.

Previously in 2015, back when Shastri was Team India director, Virat Kohli’s men won the Test series in Sri Lanka 2-1 after a long gap of 22 years, when Mohammed Azharuddin previously led the team in 1993. Shastri also made a bold statement, saying that the teams of the past with two decades of experience could not do what the current lot has achieved.

"A lot of big (Indian) names have played for 20 years and they have come to Sri Lanka many times but they have never won a series. This team has done that. This team is used to doing things that a lot of other (Indian) teams haven't done and that too overseas," Shastri added.

Team India has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Test series and will play the final Test in Kandy commencing on Saturday.