Even in India's moment of unprecedented triumph, Ravi Shastri couldn't resist taking a potshot at critics genuine or imagined of the Indian team, even as he lauded Virat Kohli's leadership skills and his passion for the game.

"Very satisfying," the India head coach said at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) yesterday, not long after the final day of the series was completely washed out to give the visitors their first ever Test series victory in Australia. "Virat started his journey four or five years ago here [as Test captain]. I don't think anyone plays Test cricket with more passion than he does. At least I don't see any other international captain coming close to him on the field when it comes to showing that passion needed to play the game. He is very expressive, which is different to others.