Former India captain MS Dhoni discussed his relationship with star batter Virat Kohli, highlighting that while Dhoni struggles to stay in touch off the field, he shares a special bond with Kohli. After Kohli stepped down as Test captain in January 2022, Dhoni was the only former teammate to reach out, sending a supportive message. Kohli emphasized the authenticity of their connection, noting the absence of insecurity between them. He prefers direct communication over public advice. Dhoni acknowledged his difficulty in maintaining contact but mentioned that he reaches out when someone truly needs support. Their relationship exemplifies mutual respect and understanding.
Former India captain MS Dhoni has opened up about his relationship with star batter Virat Kohli. While their on-field camaraderie is well-known, Dhoni is not particularly good at staying in touch with people off the field. Many of his current and former teammates have expressed frustration about being unable to reach Dhoni when he is not playing cricket. However, it seems that Dhoni shares a special bond with Kohli. Notably, Dhoni texted Kohli after he decided to step down as the captain of the Indian Test team in January 2022, shortly after the South Africa tour.
Kohli revealed during an interaction that Dhoni was the only person who reached out to him during those challenging times.
“Let me tell you one thing: when I left Test captaincy, I received a message from only one person, with whom I had played before; that was MS Dhoni. Many people have my number. On TV, there are countless suggestions; people have a lot to say. But none of those who had my number sent me a message,” Kohli shared.
Dhoni has now addressed his special gesture towards Kohli, acknowledging that he is “not great” at keeping in touch with others. In a viral video, a fan inquired about Dhoni’s relationship with Kohli during an event.
“It’s deja vu. I was recently asked a similar question; you will see the answer during the IPL. I’m not great when it comes to staying in touch with people, but sometimes, when someone needs you, you just drop them a message,” Dhoni remarked in the video.
During an interview in 2022, Kohli spoke candidly about his struggles and the text he received from Dhoni during those tough times.
“That respect [with Dhoni], that genuine connection with someone, is evident because there is no insecurity between us. Neither does he [Dhoni] require anything from me, nor do I need anything from him. We are both secure in ourselves. I can say this: if I want to communicate with someone, I reach out to that person directly if I wish to help.
“If you offer suggestions publicly, it holds no value for me. If you genuinely want to see me improve, speak to me privately, (tell me) that you genuinely want me to succeed. I live my life with a lot of honesty, so I can see through such matters. While I’m not saying it doesn’t matter to me, you can see the authenticity in it. I can only express that. Over many years of playing, when you play with integrity, the only one who truly looks out for you is the almighty. As long as I play, and while I’m worthy of playing, I will continue to do so in this way,” he emphasized.
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