Even after Virat Kohli assumed captaincy, he continued to play remarkably consistently in ODI cricket despite falling out of favor in Tests and T20Is. Over the years, Indian cricket has been fortunate to have some fantastic captains. Capable individuals have worn the captain’s hat for India, starting with Mansoor Pataudi and Kapil Dev and continuing with MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and currently Rohit Sharma.
India won three ICC tournaments under Dhoni’s inspirational guidance: the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2007 T20 World Cup. During Dhoni’s tenure as captain, Shikhar Dhawan solidified his position as India’s opener in all forms and emerged as the Champions Trophy’s top run-scorer.
With Kohli leading the team, India emerged as one of the most formidable teams in Test cricket and achieved some notable feats abroad, including finishing second in the first-ever World Test Championship (WTC) final. Under the batsmanship of the Delhi hitter, the ‘Men in Blue’ also made it to the 2019 ODI World Cup semifinals.
Dhawan, who was coached by Dhoni and Virat Kohli for a large portion of his international career, recently discussed their different approaches to captaincy.
“The different ways that Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni bhai captain the team are influenced by their leadership beliefs, game plans, and personalities. I’ve played for them and get along well with them. “I believe that both of them are outstanding cricket players, and everyone aspires to be like them,” Dhawan said in an exclusive interview with The Times of India.
The left-hander clarified how, under duress, Dhoni maintains his composure and faith in his cricketing instincts.
“Dhoni bhai is renowned for maintaining his composure under pressure when playing, no matter what the circumstances of the game. His captaincy has always been distinguished by this level-headedness. Dhoni bhai is frequently complimented on his innate ability to make decisions. He has a knack for making the right decisions, especially under duress, and he trusts his cricketing instincts,” Dhawan added.
“Dhoni bhai’s adept man-management abilities are well-known. He fosters a supportive team atmosphere for his players and maintains his composure under duress,” Dhawan continued.
Dhawan, however, praised Kohli for giving young players encouragement and emphasizing conditioning and fitness. The seasoned player claimed that Kohli’s aggressive batting approach serves as the team’s model.
“Virat Kohli has fostered a young, vibrant team atmosphere. He supports and nurtures young people with talent, giving them the chance to succeed. Kohli emphasizes conditioning and physical fitness a lot. Under his leadership, the team’s emphasis on physical conditioning has grown to be a fundamental component, according to Dhawan.
Kohli sets the standard for excellence with his performances. “He anticipates a similar level of intensity from his players, and his aggressive batting style frequently sets the tone for the team,” he concluded.
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