I've learnt a lot from MS Dhoni in terms of leadership: Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has redefined the way Indian cricket is played. He instilled the rigour and the aggressive intent in the side that had dwindled away in the past. No wonder why the Delhi batsman was the first choice as the replacement for MS Dhoni as the captain of the team. Virat’s success as captain in Test cricket thus far only added impetus to the decision making for the selectors. Now that he has been handed over the baton, he has his own plans going forward.

In a recent conversation with BCCI.tv, Virat Kohli spoke at length on the captaincy prospect and also on the former Indian skipper MS Dhoni. When asked about his first reactions on being named as the captain, Kohli remarked that it was a special moment. He always dreamt of playing for the national side. To lead the team is always a big incentive.

“First reactions are obviously, it’s a very special moment in my life, it’s a lot of responsibility and something that I’m really looking forward to. I didn’t realise when this transition happened, in my own head. Starting off as a player just wanting to play for India and now having the responsibility to be captain in all three formats. I feel very grateful that I’ve been given this opportunity,” quoted Kohli.

He further thanked MS Dhoni for all the support that he gave. He reflected back at how Dhoni has helped Indian cricket to evolve. In addition to that, Dhoni has helped Kohli to become wiser and mature as the leader.

Also read – Mohammad Kaif gives his account on how Dhoni evolved as a legend

“I’m very thankful to MS Dhoni as well, for giving me this opportunity, for thinking that I’m worthy of taking that responsibility forward. I’m very grateful to his whole contribution in this process as well, I’ve learnt a lot from him in terms of leadership, in terms of conducting myself, how to take the team together, so it couldn’t have been done in a better way, such a respectful and a humble way by him,” he added further.

Speaking a note further on MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli believes this will be the best time for Dhoni to play freely. The fans will get to watch the Dhoni that they had first seen when he had made it to the team.

Quoting on having MS in the team, he said, “It’s a win-win situation for the new captain coming in, still having that guy for advice, for his inputs, for the cricketing brain purely that he has. But what I’m really, really happy about and what I’m most pleased about is the fact that he’ll be able to play free cricket, he’ll be able to express himself as the aggressive MS Dhoni that we knew when he came into the team.”

Asked about Dhoni’s batting position, Virat pointed out that he wants him to bat higher in the order. He reckons that if Dhoni plays the way he used to play when he bursted on the scene, the team can go places from here on.

Also read – An open letter to MS Dhoni on his decision to step down as skipper

“On the field, obviously, I will be running to him quite a lot, that’s what I feel. Even now when he was captaining we would always have discussions and come to a conclusion. About the batting bit, if I ask him where he wants to bat I know what kind of a person he is, he’ll tell me where ever he’ll want to bat. I know he’s like that but I would love to see him bat higher up usually than what he has been playing for the last few years and totally enjoy his cricket,” he mentioned.

Virat Kohli also conceded that captaining the team in the World Cup will be the biggest moment of his life. “Just hearing about the World Cups gives me goosebumps, I’ve played one, I’ve played a couple of T20 World Cups, but to play a World Cup as captain of India would be the biggest achievement of my life,” he conceded.