Follow UsTwo of Indian cricket’s most iconic captains, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, have always shared a strong bond, both on and off the field. Their mutual admiration, deep respect, and seamless camaraderie has been evident throughout their careers.
While Dhoni has completely stepped away from international cricket, Kohli has decided to move on from Tests and T20Is, focusing solely on ODIs for the time being. He has expressed his desire to continue playing 50-over cricket until the 2027 ODI World Cup. The two of them are very much active in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Dhoni, who has led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to five IPL titles, continues to be the heart and soul of the franchise. Kohli, after years of chasing glory, finally won an IPL trophy with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2025.
At a recent event, Dhoni was asked about Kohli’s off-field personality. “Virat is a very good singer, a very good dancer, great at mimicry, and very funny. If he is in the mood, he is very, very entertaining,” Times of India quoted Dhoni as saying.
Kohli, who made his India debut under Dhoni’s captaincy, has often credited MSD for shaping his early career and has always spoken about him with utmost respect.
“That respect for Dhoni, that connection - when it’s genuine, it shows, because there is no insecurity between us. He doesn’t need anything from me, nor do I need anything from him. Neither of us suffers from insecurity," Kohli had said in the past
While fans are eagerly waiting to see if Dhoni will return for IPL 2026, Kohli is set to don the Indian jersey once again when India tour Australia in October for a three-match ODI series.