"If it was so, Virat wouldn't have got 700 runs and smashed four centuries in Tests in Australia. His work ethics is as good as any I have seen. His heart beats for India. It's a pedigree you don't see often. And to tell you the truth, he isn't a finished article yet," Shastri told PTI.
Shastri found much to praise in Kohli's revival after a disastrous England tour last year when he constantly fell to Jimmy Anderson and company.
Shastri also lavished praise on skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni saying that the wicket-keeper batsman will only get better from here on.
"He would only get better now that he has retired from Test cricket. He would be fitter and would have time to work on his batting. He would still have a lot of time to torture bowlers around the world," he said.
Shastri, a former India captain, said losing the toss in the semi-final against Australia hurt the Indian team.