Veteran cricketer Shikhar Dhawan shared his thoughts while comparing the captaincy styles of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Dhawan had made his India debut under MS Dhoni and then played some of his best cricket under Virat Kohli’s captaincy.
MS Dhoni is widely regarded as the best captain India had, given the amount of success India enjoyed under him. India won the T20 World Cup in 2007, the ICC World Cup in 2011, and Champions Trophy in 2013 under his captaincy.
India also won their only tri-series in Australia when he was captain and reached the no.1 rank in Tests when he was captain.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli inherited a brilliant team from MS Dhoni and had his guidance in the initial years of his captaincy in white-ball cricket. Kohli then molded and transformed the Indian Test team into beasts of the format, keeping them no.1 in the ICC rankings for five straight years.
It was under Virat Kohli, that India won their maiden Test series in Australia in 2018-19. He also led India to the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup and the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2021.
Shikhar Dhawan, in an interview with Times of India, talked about the difference in captaincies of both Dhoni and Kohli.
He said: “Both MS Dhoni bhai and Virat Kohli have distinct styles of captaincy, shaped by their personalities, approaches to the game, and leadership philosophies. I have played under them & have good relations with them. I think both of them are exceptional cricketers and everyone wants to become like them only.”
He praised MS Dhoni for his calm and composed demeanor on the field and his cricketing instincts.
“Dhoni bhai is known for his calm and composed demeanor on the field, regardless of the match situation. This cool-headed approach has been a hallmark of his captaincy. Dhoni bhai is often praised for his instinctive decision-making. He trusts his cricketing instincts and has a knack for making the right calls, particularly in pressure situations. Dhoni bhai is known for his effective man-management skills. He remains calm under pressure and is supportive of his players, creating a positive team environment,” Dhawan said in Times of India.
About Virat Kohli, Dhawan said that Kohli cultivated a strong and young team. He also praised Kohli for focusing on strength and training.
“Virat Kohli has cultivated a youthful and energetic team environment. He encourages young talents and is willing to back them, providing opportunities for them to flourish. Kohli places a strong emphasis on fitness and conditioning. This focus on physical fitness has become a key aspect of the team culture under his captaincy. Kohli leads from the front with his performances. His aggressive style of batting often sets the tone for the team, and he expects a similar level of intensity from his players,” Dhawan said.
