Virat Kohli has done an exceptional job as captain: MS Dhoni

Indian limited-overs skipper MS Dhoni feels that the Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli has done an exceptional job as captain ever since he took over from him following his Test retirement. Dhoni praised him a lot saying that Kohli is always “pushing the envelope” and that is what makes him special.

Dhoni also added that the Test skipper is the one who always wanted to improve his game and contribute heavily to the victories. “Virat has been fantastic over the years; if you see what really counts is how you can improve your game. Right from the very first game that he played for India, he is somebody who always wanted to improve and he always wanted to contribute in the team’s win and by contribution it was not a small, he always wanted to be the Man of the Match in those terms,” Dhoni was quoted as saying by Tamil Nadu T20 Premier League’s official website.

Virat is considered to be one of the fittest cricketers all-around and Dhoni said Virat’s ability to read the game and execute his plans makes him special. “So I feel that he was always pushing himself – when it comes to fitness, reading of the game, execution of his plans – I feel that’s what makes him very special,” he said.

“After that, it’s how you lead your team and since he has the experience of leading RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore) and also now that he is the Test captain for the more than a year, I feel in a way he has groomed himself looking at all the challenges that he had to face,” he added. “I feel that he has done an exceptional job and that he has a very bright future ahead of him when it comes to being the captain of the teams.”

Also read – Kohli-Kumble need to work on overseas record: Adam Gilchrist

Comments on Anil Kumble:

Speaking about the newly appointed Indian coach Anil Kumble, he said, “Well Anil Bhai, I have played with him, I have played under him and he’s a very special man. He’s one of the few players, irrespective of the conditions whether it’s (assisting) spin bowling or not, whether we’re playing in abroad or not – he was somebody who was very aggressive when it comes to his bowling. He was somebody who put in a lot of hard-work who would prepare very well over a period and you know he’s just fantastic.”

“The integrity part, the honesty part, the hard-work, the affection and yes the big change has been the sense of humour. He had a different kind of sense of humour when he was playing – you know if you understand him at the right time you know ‘okay he was giving that joking reply’ and he just keeps moving from there. So it will be nice. Already I think we are the No. 1 Test team so that’s very good for us and I feel we’ll have a special time,” added Dhoni.

Dhoni after his retirement from Test cricket has been focussing on his fitness. “In my case, my motto was to lose a bit of weight; technically in the terms of the fat percentage and what you have to be careful about is when you try to lose fat you don’t want to end up losing muscle also. I have managed to lose two kilos,” he signed-off.