Dhoni's calmness was his strength, Kohli's intensity changed Indian cricket: Shikhar Dhawan

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan recently shared his vision of the conflicting leadership styles of two of India’s most celebrated captains, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Having played under both leaders, Dhawan experienced firsthand how their particular approaches helped shape Indian cricket into a global powerhouse impressively.  

Dhawan made his international debut under Dhoni’s captaincy and later played an important role in India’s rise under his longtime friend, Kohli. Talking about Dhoni’s leadership, Dhawan accentuates the former skipper’s composed poise and deep understanding of the game.  

"All of them have their own characters and nature. Dhoni is very relaxed. He doesn't talk much. He speaks during meetings, as every captain does, but even after matches, he doesn’t say much. His presence was very strong, and by the time I played under him, he was already an experienced captain who had achieved so much. He knew exactly how to run a team and how to prepare players," Dhawan said in an exclusive interview with ANI.  

Dhoni led India in 332 matches across formats, securing 178 wins, 120 losses, and 15 draws. Under his captaincy, India triumphed in the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy. His skill to remain calm under high-pressure circumstances was a defining trait, helping India script historic victories, including a 4-0 whitewash against Australia in the 2012-13 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.  

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Dhawan highlighted this fortitude as Dhoni’s greatest strength. “No, Dhoni bhai has never... I have never seen him shout. That was his strength. That's what he brought to the table—absolute calmness. But when you look into his eyes, you get scared,” he said with a chuckle.  

With Dhoni stepping down, India transitioned into Kohli’s era—a period defined by passionate aggression and an unyielding drive for success. Kohli’s leadership saw India dominate world cricket, especially in Test matches, where his dedication and fitness-oriented approach modified the team.  

"Virat is intense. He has a different energy. He changed the culture of fitness because he himself is so fit. The yo-yo test became a benchmark, and he took that standard forward. Over time, he matured as a captain. From his first Test match as captain to his later years, you could see his refinement with experience. His intensity is very strong," Dhawan observed.  

Under Kohli’s captaincy, India held the No. 1 ranking in Test cricket for 42 consecutive months (October 2016–March 2020) and achieved plentiful historic wins. Across 213 matches as captain, he secured 135 victories, 60 losses, and 11 draws.  

While their styles were distinct—Dhoni’s composed wisdom versus Kohli’s fiery passion—both left an enduring mark on Indian cricket, elevating the team to new heights.