Player Interviews – Was MS Dhoni the Only One Who Called Virat Kohli After He Stepped Down as Test Captain?

Both have shown great respect and support for each other during their careers. Kohli often speaks highly of Dhoni, calling him his “captain forever.” Their mutual admiration, trust, and shared moments on the field have made this bond very close to fans’ hearts. Let’s have a look at how Kohli has praised Dhoni.

Did MS Dhoni Call Virat Kohli After He Stepped Down from Test Captaincy?

In his early career, Virat Kohli was backed a lot by India’s former captain MS Dhoni, and when he started performing well, their bond grew into something special. On September 4, 2022, after India’s loss to Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Kohli shared a heartfelt story about Dhoni’s support. He revealed that when he stepped down from Test captaincy, Dhoni was the only one who reached out to him with a text. Despite many people having his number, no one else checked in, which spoke volumes about Dhoni’s genuine care. He said:

Dhoni was the only one who texted me when I left Test captaincy. Many people have my number but nobody except Dhoni thought about texting me. They give a lot of suggestions on TV but nobody reached out to me individually. I’ve a special bonding with MS Dhoni. There are some connections which are genuine and it has some security. We aren’t insecure & have respect for each other. If I want to help someone, I’ll reach out to him individually. I won’t give him suggestions in front of the public as that doesn’t have any value for me.

Kohli, speaking to the press, said Dhoni’s gesture meant a lot because it showed a real connection. He mentioned how they share a bond built on respect and trust, free from insecurity. Kohli stressed that he values honesty and prefers giving advice privately, not for show on TV or in public. He took a subtle dig at critics who offer suggestions on air but never reach out personally, highlighting how Dhoni’s approach was different—quiet, personal, and sincere. Kohli further added:

If you genuinely want someone to improve, you can give them suggestions one-on-one as well. These things matter a lot to me because I want to live my life with honesty and in my own way.

This moment wasn’t just about a text as it showed the deep friendship between the two. Kohli described their relationship as one where they can be open with each other, offering help one-on-one without any fuss. Dhoni’s call after Kohli’s captaincy exit stood out as a mark of their strong bond, especially since Kohli felt others could’ve done the same but didn’t. Their connection goes back years, with Dhoni mentoring Kohli early on and giving him chances to shine. This support built a friendship that’s lasted through highs and lows, from IPL battles to leading India together.

Why Did Virat Kohli Feel Alone Despite Being Surrounded by Loved Ones?

For many of his fans, Virat Kohli is often seen talking about the things that have been tough in his glittering cricket career. He opened up about his mental health struggles in a raw, honest chat with The Indian Express. Despite being a superstar who led India to the top of the Test rankings, Kohli admitted that even with people cheering him on, he’s felt alone. He described moments when, surrounded by supporters and loved ones, he still felt isolated, saying it’s a feeling many can relate to. He said:

I personally have experienced times when even in a room full of people who support and love me, I felt alone, and I am sure that this is a feeling that a lot of people can relate to. It is definitely a serious issue and as much as we try to be strong at all times, it can tear you apart.

This wasn’t just a passing comment — it showed how the pressures of being “King” Kohli, as the media calls him, have taken a toll. Kohli spoke about how the grind of cricket can wear you down. He’d been through a rough patch, not scoring a century since 2019 and losing his captaincy in all formats after a tough 2021 T20 World Cup. He told the newspaper that constant pressure can “tear you apart” if you don’t step back to rest and reconnect with yourself. He further added:

If you lose that connection, it wouldn’t take very long for other things to crumble around you. It’s not a great feeling to wake up knowing that you won’t be able to score runs… I felt I was the loneliest guy in the world.

Without that balance, he said, things can fall apart fast. This came months after he shared on a podcast with Mark Nicholas that he battled depression during a 2014 England tour, feeling like “the loneliest guy in the world” when runs wouldn’t come. His words hit hard because they showed a side of Kohli beyond the aggressive batsman fans know. He emphasized how important it is for athletes to take breaks to protect their mental health, something he learned the hard way. After being rested for the West Indies tour, he was back in India’s T20 squad for the Asia Cup, facing Pakistan soon after.

Has Virat Kohli Made Up His Mind to Retire from Cricket?

With Virat Kohli currently playing in the IPL, he has been in great form and hence has been doing well. However, for the first time in his illustrious career, Kohli has openly touched upon the topic of retirement, sending an emotional wave among his fans. While he continues to pile on runs, Kohli made it clear during a recent Royal Challengers Bengaluru event that he is aware the end of his career is inevitable, and he is mentally preparing for it. He said:

Once I’m done, I’ll be gone. You won’t see me for a while, so I wanna give everything I have till the time I play, and that’s the only thing that keeps me going.

Kohli confirmed that he is working backwards from that end date, without revealing any specific timeline. What stood out was his intention of leaving no regrets behind. He stressed that while he cannot play forever, he wants to give everything he has until the last day of his career. Moreover, with this, on12th May 2025, Virat Kohli finally confirmed his retirement from Test Cricket, and it came as a shock for the fans. At the end, he finally said that:

As sportsmen, we do have an end date to our careers. I’m just working backwards. I don’t want to finish my career thinking of what if I had done this on that particular day. I can’t keep going on and on forever. It’s just about not leaving any undone business behind and not having any regrets later, which I’m very sure I won’t have.

These comments came as a heartfelt reminder that even the greats are not immune to time. The conversation around Kohli’s retirement, much like it was for Sachin Tendulkar in his final years, has started gaining momentum. Despite being at peak fitness and form, Kohli knows that speculation is part of the package when one reaches the final stretch of a long and successful sporting journey.