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At a recent event in Chennai, cricketing icon MS Dhoni offered a rare and personal look into his relationship with his successor, Virat Kohli. The camaraderie between the two is well-known, a bond forged over years of playing together for India, during which Kohli made his debut under Dhoni’s captaincy and eventually took over the reins of the team. Dhoni’s candid revelations provided fans with a new perspective on Kohli, painting a picture of a multi-talented and humorous individual whose persona off the field is a striking contrast to his aggressive and fiercely competitive nature on it. These insights into their personal dynamics add another layer to the story of two of India’s greatest cricketers.
MS Dhoni’s candid revelation of Virat Kohli’s entertaining off-field persona
Dhoni, known for his calm and composed demeanor, shared an amusing and detailed account of Kohli’s personality away from the cricket pitch. Dismissing the popular image of Kohli as an intensely focused athlete, Dhoni revealed a side of him that is both “very funny” and “very entertaining” when he is in the mood. Dhoni highlighted three of Kohli’s hidden talents, which showcase his flair for entertaining others. He noted that Kohli is a natural when it comes to singing, possesses a remarkable skill for dancing, and is a master of mimicry. According to Dhoni, these qualities make Kohli a delight to be around and a source of constant amusement for his teammates.
“He also sings well. He is a good singer. He is a good dancer. He is good in mimicry. If he is in the mood, he is very, very entertaining,” Dhoni said to the anchor, Bhavana Balakrishnan.
Looks like everyone’s a fan of Kohli’s mimicry in the dressing room….everyone has a story about it. pic.twitter.com/FSMySgRRlR
— Gaurav (@Melbourne__82) August 6, 2025
This intimate insight into their friendship stands in stark contrast to their on-field partnership, which was famous for its telepathic understanding, particularly their seamless running between the wickets. It was under Dhoni’s watchful eye that Kohli blossomed as an international cricketer and eventually inherited the captaincy across all formats, a transition that solidified their shared legacy and deep mutual respect.
A tale of contrasting fortunes in the IPL 2025 season
The IPL 2025 season unfolded as a dramatic tale of contrasting fortunes for the two legends, marking a pivotal moment in their careers. Kohli enjoyed a phenomenal campaign, guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their long-awaited maiden IPL title, finally ending an 18-year wait for the franchise. His individual brilliance was a key factor in their success, as he finished third on the Orange Cap list with an impressive 657 runs in 15 matches, at a stellar average of 54.75. Kohli’s season was also one for the record books, as he became the first player in IPL history to breach the 600-run mark in five different editions of the tournament.
His crucial knock of 43 in the final was instrumental in RCB’s six-run victory. In stark contrast, Dhoni and his team, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), endured a difficult and unprecedented season. For the first time in their history, CSK finished at the bottom of the table, managing only four wins. Dhoni’s own performance was subdued, with a modest return of 196 runs from 14 matches. The season was further complicated by an elbow injury to regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, forcing Dhoni to take back the captaincy for the final nine matches. This challenging outing, coupled with ongoing questions about his knee and his future in the IPL, left fans and experts alike pondering whether 2025 was the final time they would see the iconic wicketkeeper-batter in action.
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