Virat Kohli recently spoke about his captain, MS Dhoni again, and what he had to say was truly touching. The current skipper of the Men in Blue, Kohli said: “From the respect point of view for MS, it’s always going to be sky high, especially in my eyes, because I know how difficult it can be to make a transition from captaining also. It’s not easy to be another player in the side after captaining it for decades and therein lies Dhoni’s greatness. Being a mentor but without being assertive, which the team acknowledges.”

He spoke about the space that Dhoni gave him to learn, saying: “You know, within the same team, just playing as a player after being captain for so many years and still not being too assertive or too pushy in anything. He gives you space to make your own decisions and to actually discover yourself, so I think that’s been his biggest quality.” He has also been a major support as can be seen from Kohli’s words: “At the same time, I go ask him anything, he’s there giving me advice and he’s never shying away from that. So yeah, he’s been outstanding and I’m delighted that I have been able to play for so many years alongside him.” Kohli added: “The respect will always be there because of the opportunities that he gave us and the faith that he showed in us and the way he’s handled the whole team in transition over so many years. And now we are the ones who are taking Indian cricket forward,” talking about the support he had despite initial struggles.

The skipper also said: “When a person has done so much for the team you have to appreciate and acknowledge how he’s handled and taken the respect for Indian cricket so high all over the world. We are all very grateful for what he’s done for Indian cricket and for us.” So are we! Kohli also shared that Dhoni has been in a good space saying: “… And he’s always been in a very happy, jovial mood all the time whenever we see him. Yesterday again was a very happy moment for him, for the whole team, to see a smile on his face and he’s in a very comfortable, very happy space at the moment.” Nothing could make us happier. Except, maybe winning the World Cup.