It’s an honour for me to be playing with you still and to have started under you: Virat Kohli on Dhoni

If there is one relationship that is largely benefitting and has the potential to massively impact the fortunes of Indian cricket, that’s the one between the two exceptional leaders in the team – MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. The former and current captains of the Indian team share immense respect for one another. Kohli from making his debut under Dhoni is today leading the side and the latter is playing an important role as the most senior character in the setup.

The wicketkeeper-captain stepped down from the helm of the limited-overs teams at the start of 2017. Kohli was his natural successor and the best part was Dhoni broke the usual trend that a captain only plays until he leads the team. He rather worked on his own fitness to match that of the youngsters in the team. He is still the most proficient keeper-batsman in Indian cricket, around the world and is using this time to share his experience with Virat and the rest of the players in the team.

Kohli has often said that Dhoni was the one under whose tutelage he made his debut and he will always remain his captain no matter what. Even now, over a year after he stepped down from the role the senior man has a stature in the team where he moves the field, makes the decisions in the most crunch moments and Kohli stands back and watches him work around the changes he believes are in the best interest of the team.

While there is a power struggle in most teams and at every level – two individuals with equal stature fight to prove their supremacy. These two are an example of how a senior should be respected and how an individual should understand when is the right time to hand over the baton to his successor for the greater good and still be around to make a contribution.

An honour to still be playing with you

The man who achieved everything there is in international as well as IPL cricket during his career celebrates his 37th birthday today. Kohli on the occasion said that Dhoni is as fit and as fast as he ever was, he wants to see him happy and shared his positive energy with his captain. He also said that it was an honour for him to still be playing with him.

“You at that age are as fit as ever and as fast as ever. It is great to see you happy, see you smiling and enjoying yourself. I wish you all the best, God bless you. It’s an honour for me to be playing with you still and to have started under you and the respect that we share. My best wishes, all my positive energy towards you always, God bless you, cheers,” the Indian captain said in a video on bcci.tv.

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