Dhoni says Kohli is a proper entertainer, a full package
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.
MS Dhoni hints about his future with Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
MS Dhoni has once again dropped a massive hint about his future with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and his potential availability for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. MS Dhoni turned 44 last month. It’s been now five years since he called time on his international career. However, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter continues to play in IPL for Chennai Super Kings, a franchise that won all of their five trophies under the maverick cricketer’s captaincy. In 2024, he stepped down from CSK captaincy and passed the baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad. They missed out on a playoffs spot by a whisker, but the last season was a forgettable affair as they endured a historic low – for the first time, CSK finished bottom of the standings. “I have always said that there is a lot of time for me to decide, but if you are asking about coming back in a yellow jersey I will always be in a yellow jersey, whether I am playing or not, is a different matter.” “Me and CSK, we are together,” Dhoni said during an event recently. “You know, even for the next 15-20 years (crowd cheers). I hope they don’t think I’ll be playing for another 15-20 years.” His playing days could be numbered but Dhoni has cleared that he will continue to be in CSK’s camp. “It’s not about one year or two years. I will always be sitting in a yellow jersey. You know whether I’ll be playing or not in a while, but yeah, you know yourself,” Dhoni said. Dhoni noted CSK’s role in shaping his career and helping him grow as a person. “I feel the relationship over the years has grown. It helped me improve as a person. It helped me improve as a cricketer. CSK just happened. I think it’s good for Chennai. So, today it’s good for me also,” he said. Earlier this year, Dhoni had remarked that playing in the IPL is the next best thing to representing the Indian team. “It’s a very good feeling, and I’ve always said it’s a big thank-you from the fans. That’s what I believe—for whatever years I keep playing, it’s their way of saying, ‘Thank you very much for everything you’ve done.’ And it’s amazing. “Especially when you play a sport, what you want is the appreciation of the fans. And when it comes to cricket, India is the place to play,” Dhoni said in an interview with Star Sports. “Being part of the Indian cricket team is one of the biggest things. I’m not playing international cricket anymore, so IPL is the next best thing. “I don’t get goosebumps, but it’s a special kind of feeling—every time you walk in, everyone’s excited. They’re waiting for you. They want you to do well. “Even when you’re playing against the team they support, they still want you to perform, contribute—whatever it may be. So yeah, it’s an amazing feeling,” he added. It was a forgettable season for CSK in IPL 2025 as they finished last in the points table. Dhoni opened up about the season and said that they need to learn from their mistakes. “Yes, the last couple of years have not been good for us. We have not been up to the mark. But what is important is for you to see the learnings. Yes, you had a bad season. But what went wrong? And that was the question for us last year also,” Dhoni concluded.
