Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan opened up on the characteristics that define and differentiate former skipper MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. The destructive opener was part of two captaincy eras that helped Indian cricket to dominate across the globe.
Dhawan made his international debut under MS Dhoni's captaincy and he was also the part of Kohli-led India that helped into a modern-day giant across all formats.
Dhawan on MS Dhoni
While talking about MS Dhoni's captaincy, Dhawan said that India's 2011 World Cup-winning captain was very calm and composed. His presence was very strong.
"All of them have their own characters and nature. Dhoni is very relaxed. He doesn't talk much. He talks during the meeting. Even before the match, every captain talks. He is very relaxed. Even after the match, he doesn't talk much. So Dhoni bhai's presence was very strong, and of course, when I played under him, he had already become an experienced captain and had achieved so much already. He knew in and out about how a team is run and how a player is prepared," Dhawan said in an exclusive interview with ANI.
Dhawan, who played an invaluable role in India's success in the famous whitewash and many other series, sees the calmness aspect of Dhoni's captaincy as his strength.
"No, Dhoni bhai has never... I have never seen him shout. That was his strength. That's what he brings to the table. He is absolutely amazing. But when you look at his eyes, you get scared," he said.
Dhoni-led India played 332 matches across all formats, winning 178, losing 120 and drawing 15. With an aura of calmness around him, Dhoni led India to glory in the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy.
Dhawan on Virat Kohli
Dhawan who shares a very good bond with Kohli said that the modern-day great was very intense and he changed the culture of the Indian dressing room.
"Virat is intense. He has a different energy. Virat has changed the culture of fitness a lot because he is so fit, so that culture came that you have to be fit, our yo-yo test was done. So Virat moved that thing forward. At the same time. He kept on getting mature as a captain as well. When he captained in his first test match and later, with that experience, one keeps getting refined. So Virat's intensity is quite strong," he said.
Under Kohli's captaincy, India climbed to the top of the ICC Test rankings and stayed there for 42 consecutive months from October 2016 to March 2020. Overall, Kohli led India in 213 matches, won 135, lost 60, and 11 ended in a draw.