MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli are two of the best cricketers from their time, and their friendship is pretty well-known. Kohli started his cricket journey under Dhoni’s captaincy and achieved some big milestones with him guiding the way. Both have been leaders for their IPL teams for quite some time but are heading into the 2025 season without that pressure.
In a recent chat, Dhoni opened up about his bond with Kohli but kept a particular text he sent him private when Kohli stepped down as India’s Test captain. Kohli has often mentioned that Dhoni was the only cricket figure who reached out to him after his decision. When asked about it, Dhoni said, “I will talk about the relationship, not the message. I like to keep it the way it is. It allows other players to come to me with their thoughts.”
He went on to explain that he keeps some details under wraps to maintain the trust that players place in him. “They feel like they can talk to me without worrying about others knowing,” he added. “That trust is key, especially with players who may need guidance but haven’t played with me.”
Dhoni also praised Kohli for his drive to improve as a player. “From the beginning, he wanted to make a real impact. He wasn’t satisfied with just scoring 40 or 60; he wanted to hit hundreds and finish strong. That determination pushed him to elevate his game and fitness,” he said.
According to Dhoni, Kohli would often seek advice, asking what he could have done differently after getting out in a game. “We had lots of talks that helped us connect better,” he recalled. “I gave him my honest feedback, and that’s how our friendship grew.”
Wrapping up, Dhoni noted that now that they’re not captains anymore, they have more time to catch up before games. “There’s still a bit of a senior-junior dynamic, but we’re also friends. Our companionship is great, and not being captains gives us more chances to chat,” he concluded.
