On Saturday, Virat Kohli shocked the world of cricket by announcing that he would no longer remain the captain of the Indian Test Team. Considering he was the best in the business for India, it was a shocking decision. In 68 games, he helped India win 40 encounters. It is the best record held by any Indian Test skipper. The next on the list is MS Dhoni, who won 27 games in 60 matches. In this article, we take a look at three coincidences between MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli’s Test captaincy stint for Team India.
1) Last Test match as captain at the age of 33
Both MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli played their last Test as a captain at the age of 33. While MS Dhoni played it in Australia, Virat’s last as Test skipper was also on foreign soil in South Africa. However, MS Dhoni had also announced his retirement then. Virat Kohli, though, would continue playing for India. Back then, it was a shocking decision when MS Dhoni left the Test arena. However, India had an able leader in Virat Kohli to replace him. However, the situation is slightly different this time around.
2) 7 years at the helm of the Indian Test Team
MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli both had close to seven years at the helm of the Indian Test Team. After Rahul Dravid quit captaincy, the mantle for the five-day format was given to Anil Kumble. After the legendary leg-spinner retired, MS Dhoni took over. It was after MS Dhoni retired that Virat Kohli became the Test skipper. While MS Dhoni helped India create a strong spin attack that is thriving even now, Kohli has been responsible for a solid pace attack that wins games consistently.
3) 14 losses and 1 series win in SENA
Coincidentally, both Virat and MS Dhoni enjoyed a similar record in the SENA Nations. They both had fourteen losses and 1 series win in the SENA Nations. However, Virat’s team, in his absence, won the series in Australia and is currently leading England as well. MSD’s team struggled in the SENA Nations but Virat Kohli’s team thrived, although most of the losses came at the expense of going full-throttle to win the encounter. Hence, here as well, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli’s Test captaincy stint for Team India has a coincidence.
MS Dhoni – Last test as captain on age 33, 7 years as captain, 14 losses in SENA, 1 series win in SENA
Virat Kohli – Last test as captain on age 33, 7 years as captain, 14 losses in SENA, 1 series win in SENA
AdvertisementCoincidence or Wot 😳❤️ pic.twitter.com/Wxa3a3Jwge
— Shafinᴹˢᴰ🦁💛 (@Shafin2104) January 15, 2022
