Former India captain MS Dhoni has heaped unexpected praise on Virat Kohli—not for his cricketing prowess, but for his off-field charisma. Speaking at an event, Dhoni spoke about that off the field, Kohli is a proper entertainer, a full package, who can dance and sing revealing a lighter side of the modern-day great that fans rarely get to see.
“Virat is a very good singer, a very good dancer, great at mimicry, and very funny,” Dhoni said with a smile. “If he is in the mood, he is very, very entertaining.”
The admiration between the two legends has always been mutual, with Kohli frequently crediting Dhoni for mentoring him during his early years in international cricket.
Kohli has also revealed that Dhoni was the only person who messaged him after he unexpectedly stepped down as Test captain following the series loss in South Africa.
“Let me tell you one thing: when I left the Test captaincy, I got a message from only one person I had played with previously, and that was MS Dhoni,” Kohli had said.
“Many people have my number. On TV, they give lots of suggestions and have a lot to say. But none of the people who had my number sent me a message.”
Kohli’s immense respect for his ‘first captain’ Dhoni was evident in his words.
“That respect for Dhoni, that connection—when it’s genuine, it shows, because there is no insecurity between us. He doesn’t need anything from me, nor do I need anything from him. Neither of us suffers from insecurity. I can only say: if I truly want to say something to someone, I reach out to that person individually, especially if I want to help.”
One of the defining moments of their bond came during the 2016 T20 World Cup against Australia, where Kohli played a masterclass innings and credited Dhoni’s presence for guiding him through the tense chase. Time and again, Kohli has spoken about Dhoni’s unwavering support, especially during phases when his form dipped or when he faced criticism. In return, Kohli showed immense loyalty and gratitude, famously saying, “He will always be my captain.”
Even after Dhoni’s retirement, Kohli has continued to praise his former captain for shaping Indian cricket and setting high standards. Their relationship, built on trust, respect, and shared experiences, stands as a benchmark of leadership and teamwork, a rare and cherished bond in the world of competitive sports.
