How Has MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli’s Relationship Changed Over the Years?

Their mutual respect and strong bond were evident both on and off the field, making them one of the most iconic partnerships in Indian cricket. Even after Dhoni stepped down from captaincy, their friendship remained intact, and fans lovingly coined the term “MahiRat” to celebrate their camaraderie. Every time they meet in the IPL, their warm gestures remind fans of the golden era. But has their relationship remained the same over the years? Are they still as close as before? Let’s find out!

What Did MS Dhoni Text to Virat Kohli Reveal After He Stepped Down as Test Captain?

MS Dhoni, as India’s captain, ensured a smooth transition for Virat Kohli to take over the leadership. Kohli carried forward Dhoni’s legacy, leading India with the same passion and intensity. However, in 2022, when Kohli stepped down as Test captain, he faced the toughest phase of his career as he was out of form, under pressure, and struggling personally and professionally. At that moment, only one person reached out to him personally and it was MS Dhoni. In an interview, Kohli revealed that while many had opinions about his form, Dhoni was the only one who actually messaged him. When asked about it, Dhoni simply said:

I will talk about the relationship, not the message. I like to keep it the way it is. What it does is, it lets other cricketers come to me and ask if they have anything in their mind. They have the feeling: “Speak whatever you want to him, nothing will come out. Whatever we speak, a third person wouldn’t know it”. That trust is very important, especially for cricketers who you have not played with, who you might never play with. But, they might need some help, regarding cricket, regarding life. So, I have kept it that way.

During an interview, Kohli mentioned that after stepping down as Test captain in 2022, he struggled with poor form and criticism. Despite many people offering opinions on his game, only Dhoni took the time to check on him personally. Kohli shared that Dhoni’s message deeply resonated with him, as the former captain pointed out that when someone is perceived as strong, people often forget to ask how they are actually doing. He said:

The only person who has genuinely reached out to me has been MS Dhoni. And for me that is such a blessing to know that I could have such a strong bond and such a strong relationship with someone who is such a senior to me where things are, it is a friendship which is based on a lot of mutual respect.

Kohli expressed immense respect and gratitude for Dhoni, acknowledging their bond as one built on mutual respect and trust. Their friendship, both on and off the field, has remained strong over the years, and this heartfelt gesture from Dhoni proved the depth of their connection.

MS Dhoni Opens Up About His Special Bond With Virat Kohli!

MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli first met when Kohli was a young cricketer eager to make his mark. From the beginning, Dhoni noticed Kohli’s hunger for big scores and his determination to improve. Kohli never settled for small contributions; he always aimed for match-winning performances. Over time, he worked on his fitness and constantly sought ways to get better. He said:

Me and Virat, right from the start, he was someone who wanted to contribute. He was someone who was never happy with 40 or 60. He wanted to score a hundred and remain not out in the end. That hunger was there right from the start. He quickly improved his batting, and that will to perform and score was what kept him going. He raised his fitness levels. He has always been like that. He would come and talk to me, asking questions like, “What could I have done differently here?”. He would tell me he got out at a particular moment in a chase. We had a lot of conversations. That really opened us up. I gave him honest opinions. That’s how the relationship grew. It was more of a captain and a newcomer at that point in time. But once you keep interacting, you become friends.

Dhoni recalled that Kohli frequently approached him with questions about his game, asking what he could have done differently in certain situations. Their conversations strengthened their bond, starting as a captain-newcomer relationship and eventually turning into a deep friendship. While Dhoni acknowledged that there was always a senior-junior dynamic, he emphasized that their companionship remained strong.

In 2014, Dhoni retired from Test cricket during the Australia series, handing over the captaincy to Kohli. Later, he played under Kohli’s leadership in ODIs and T20Is for two years, showcasing mutual respect. Kohli has often spoken about how much he valued Dhoni’s guidance and mentorship. He further added that:

I still feel that there is a line in the middle – of a senior and a junior. But we are still friends. So, we have an amazing companionship. Both of us are not captains now, which gives us more time together before the toss.

Together, the duo played 285 matches for India from 2008 to 2019, creating countless memorable moments for Indian cricket fans. Their friendship remains strong even though neither of them is a captain now, giving them more time to interact on and off the field. The two legends will reunite once again when Chennai Super Kings face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in an IPL 2025 clash on 3rd May 2025, a match that fans are eagerly looking forward to as it might be the last time where both these Legends will be up against each other.