Shikhar Dhawan, the veteran opener, has played under three different Indian captains: MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and now Rohit Sharma. Dhawan has not only played under a variety of captains but is also intimately familiar with them and their methods of operation.
Dhawan believes that the different personalities of Dhoni and Kohli are also evident in the way they captain their teams. Dhawan recently disclosed Dhoni and Kohli’s captaincy styles. Dhawan described Dhoni as “cool-headed,” while describing Kohli as “aggressive.”
Shikhar Dhawan’s big break in international cricket came from Dhoni, and the southpaw didn’t look back after a memorable Test century against Australia in Mohali in 2013.
His cool-headed approach has been a hallmark of his captaincy- Shikhar Dhawan on MS Dhoni
Here’s what Shikhar Dhawan had to say about MS Dhoni‘s captaincy and how he got the most out of his teammates in an interview with the Times of India:
“Dhoni bhai is known for his calm and composed demeanor 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.”
Focus on physical fitness has become a key aspect of the team culture under his captaincy- Shikhar Dhawan on Virat Kohli
Having played domestic cricket for Delhi together from their early years, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli have a close bond. Speaking about Kohli’s efforts to alter the team’s fitness culture, Dhawan continued:
“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,” Dhawan said.
“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,” he highlighted.
Dhawan was part of both the 2013 Champions Trophy-winning Indian squad led by MS Dhoni and the 2017 Champions Trophy-final team captained by Virat Kohli.
My aggressive yet controlled style of batting is the reason for this performance- Shikhar Dhawan on his triumph at ICC tournaments
When he was at his best, Shikhar Dhawan was renowned for performing well in ICC competitions on the big stage. Along with his outstanding efforts in the ODI World Cups, he was awarded the Golden Bat for scoring the most runs in the 2013 Champions Trophy.
“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,” he reflected.
India’s 2023 World Cup team did not include Shikhar Dhawan because Shubman Gill, a young player, progressed through the ranks and put in reliable performances.
Also Read: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: MS Dhoni’s Veiled Prediction Hints At India’s World Cup Triumph