As the nail-biter clash between India and Pakistan ended in Pakistan’s win, Virat Kohli appeared for a post-match press conference. Kohli, now back in his original touch was the top-scorer for India with an impactful performance of 60 off 44. The former captain has come to Asia Cup after a break and a struggle with his form. The phase, a much-discussed one saw everyone pitching in their opinions on the cricketer.
Surprisingly, in his latest interaction, Kohli got candid and revealed that he didn’t receive support from many. In fact, he disclosed MS Dhoni as the sole person to text him after his Test captaincy retirement. Virat Kohli has expressed his admiration for the former captain Dhoni many times. And now through his latest statement, he has once again iterated his trust in their bond.
MS Dhoni retired from Test cricket in 2016 and forwarded the team’s responsibility to his trusted deputy Virat Kohli. Kohli under his captaincy led the Indian team to soar new heights in the red-ball format. However, as his form dwindled, the all-format captain gave up T20 captaincy after the 2021 T20 World Cup. Next followed his removal from the ODI captaincy, as Rohit Sharma took charge as the white ball skipper.
And Virat Kohli then resigned as the red-ball captain in January 2022. While many hailed the cricketer for his contribution to the format, others deviated the discussion to his form. Now, Virat Kohli has opened up about the phase and how he received genuine support from just MS Dhoni among many of his supposed well-wishers.
Virat Kohli opens up about the genuine support from MS Dhoni
The Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni bond is of different level! pic.twitter.com/iLohIQQ3qv
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 5, 2022
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“When I left Test captaincy, I only received a message from one person and I have played with that person in the past. That person is MS Dhoni, anyone else did not message me. Many people have my number, and there are many people who give me suggestions on the TV. There was just MS Dhoni who messaged me, many people have my number, but they did not text me. When you have genuine respect and connection with someone, you are able to see that because there is security from both sides,” said Kohli.
“I don’t want anything from him and he does not want anything from me. I was never insecure from him and he was never of me. I can just say that if I want to say something to someone, I will reach out individually,” he added.
"When I left Test captaincy, Dhoni was the only one who texted me. A lot of people have my number but he was the only one who texted me. These things matter. I live my life with honesty and these things matter for me" ~ @imVkohli#ViratKohli @msdhoni#MSD #MSDhoni𓃵 pic.twitter.com/owAvQ4WSEO
— Thyview (@Thyview) September 5, 2022
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Many criticized Kohli during this phase and openly opined on his decisions. However, Kohli now discussed how these ideas and opinions would have worked if they’d have advised him personally.
“Even if you want to help. If you want to give a suggestion to me in front of the TV or the whole world, it does not hold any value to me. You can talk 1-1, I see things with utmost honesty. It is not like I do not care, but you see the things how they are. God gives you everything, only God helps you achieve success and it is all in his hands,” he further added.
