Virat Kohli and Mrs. Dhoni are often spoken in the same breath when it comes to the greatest leaders in India. Kohli ended his reign as the most successful test captain of India, while Dhoni remains the only skipper who has all won the ICC trophies with white ball.
Both touched 10,000 ODI runs, but Kohli built up a stronger test record with 14 centuries abroad, something that Dhoni could never achieve. Yet things were not always so clear in the early years.
Former New Zealand fast Bowler Neil Wagner remembered how, during a test 2014 in Auckland, the two legends responded differently to his strategy for short balls. Wagner said Kohli looked worried, while Dhoni remained calm.
“This test match, I remember the wicket was pretty flat, but there was a bit of pace and bouncing,” Wagner said on the Red Inker Cricket Podcast.
“I remember bowling a few bouncers … especially Kohli looked a bit restless. He didn’t know if he should hire it or not.”
Kohli eventually fell for 67, caught by BJ Watling who tried to draw a rising delivery. Wagner thought that his plan worked when Kohli seemed stuck between attack and defense.
Dhoni used it differently
Wagner, however, admitted that Dhoni was much more insured against the same trick. With Ravindra Jadeja, Dhoni hit a 54-run position and gave India hope to chase 407 before Wagner removed him with a smart slower bouncer.
“Dhoni didn’t look like it was bothering him too much,” said Wagner. “I bent a slower bouncer and he cut him up. I was surprised. The confidence I got was huge.”
India was extended for 366 and lost the competition with 40 runs. Wagner ended with 4/62 and the match became one of the early memories of Kohli’s Overseas battle and the calmness of Dhoni under fire.
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