Former India captain MS Dhoni recently opened up about the deep bond he shares with Virat Kohli, a relationship that has played a vital role in Indian cricket for more than a decade. Kohli joined the Indian team when Dhoni was the captain and later succeeded him as the full-time skipper in 2017. Together, the duo achieved significant milestones, including winning the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy under Dhoni’s leadership. Dhoni later played under Kohli’s captaincy during the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2019 World Cup.
During a public event, Dhoni elaborately spoke about his connection with Kohli, highlighting their strong partnership as teammates and “colleagues” on the Indian team. He praised Kohli as one of the best players in world cricket, acknowledging his significant contributions and influence on the game.
“We have been playing together since 2008/09, and while there’s an age gap, I don’t know whether I would say I’m like an older brother or anything; we’ve just been colleagues who have played for India for a long time. He has been among the best in world cricket,” Dhoni shared at the event.
This gesture highlighted the deep mutual respect and support that has defined their relationship throughout their careers.
WATCH: MS Dhoni Talks About his Connection with Virat Kohli at Lenght
The synergy between Dhoni and Kohli has always captivated Indian cricket fans, who have cherished their partnership both on and off the field. Kohli took over the Test captaincy from Dhoni in December 2014 and later became the captain in white-ball formats by 2017. Even as captain, Kohli often sought Dhoni’s advice, especially when it came to making Decision Review System (DRS) calls, knowing that Dhoni’s judgments were almost always accurate.
The relationship between Dhoni and Kohli, fondly referred to as “Mahirat” by fans, is marked by mutual respect and camaraderie. Their partnership has been a source of excitement for fans, who have eagerly looked forward to seeing them together, particularly in the IPL. Since Dhoni’s retirement from international cricket, the last time the two took the field together was during an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings in a recent edition.
Kohli has always shown deep respect for Dhoni, often crediting him for the opportunities he received early in his career and acknowledging Dhoni’s role in shaping his journey. In 2022, Kohli revealed a significant instance of their bond when he shared that Dhoni was the only person who reached out to him personally after he stepped down as Test captain earlier that year.
Also read: How Can CSK Retain MS Dhoni as Uncapped Player in IPL?
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