Veteran Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has played a lot of cricket under the leadership of former Indian captains MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. However, Dhoni and Kohli are known for their different personalities and Dhawan feels that also reflected in their captaincy as well. It was Dhoni who gave Shikhar Dhawan his big opportunity in international cricket and he did exceptionally well after a sensational Test hundred back in 2013 in Mohali against Australia.

While speaking to the Times of India, Shikhar Dhawan said about MS Dhoni’s captaincy: “Dhoni bhai is known for his calm and composed demeanour on the field, regardless of the match situation. This cool-headed approach has been a hallmark of his captaincy. Dhoni bhai is often praised for his instinctive decision-making. He trusts his cricketing instincts and has a knack for making the right calls, particularly in pressure situations. Dhoni bhai is known for his effective man-management skills.”

However, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli also share a great camaraderie since their early days in cricket while playing for Delhi.

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Speaking about how Kohli focused on bringing a change in the fitness culture of the Indian team, Dhawan added: “Virat Kohli has cultivated a youthful and energetic team environment. He encourages young talents and is willing to back them, providing opportunities for them to flourish. Kohli places a strong emphasis on fitness and conditioning. This focus on physical fitness has become a key aspect of the team culture under his captaincy. Kohli leads from the front with his performances. His aggressive style of batting often sets the tone for the team, and he expects a similar level of intensity from his players.”

However, Shikhar Dhawan was a part of the Indian team that won the 2013 Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni. He also played in the final of the 2017 edition under Kohli. Shikhar Dhawan won the Golden Bat for scoring the most runs in the 2013 Champions Trophy as well.

“I think my knack for rising to the occasion in high-pressure situations and my aggressive yet controlled style of batting is the reason for this performance, also not to forget the captain’s & team’s support throughout these tournaments have been essential. I also want to thank all my fans & followers for always being there for me,” Shikhar Dhawan concluded.