MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli have different leadership styles but just because the current India captain shows his emotions more than his predecessor does not mean Dhoni was any less aggressive a captain, feels former BCCI national selector Gagan Khoda.
Having examined MS Dhoni’s leadership in all formats, prior to handing over the reigns to Virat Kohli, Khoda believes that MS was the perfect blend of aggression and being safe. He believes in Virat’s credentials while lauding the current captain as continuously learning and picking up traits from Dhoni’s leadership, further inculcating it into his own character.
“They say Virat Kohli is very aggressive, but MS Dhoni is not. I don’t believe in this. Aggression is not being vocal. MS Dhoni was aggressive and safe. You have to be safe as a captain. Virat Kohli is aggressive and learning how to be safe. He’s learning very quickly. The only difference is that MS Dhoni is not vocal but he is equally aggressive,” Khoda told SportsKeeda.
“You can’t attack and be aggressive all the time. You have to be aggressive and safe. MS Dhoni was a blend of both. Virat Kohli is reaching there,” Khoda said. “MS Dhoni was a great captain and used to study the game very well. Virat Kohli is getting there and he is a very quick learner. He’ll admit his mistake and say he’ll do better next time.”
Gagan Khoda enjoyed a two year tenure from 2015 to 2017 as Team India’s selection panel. However, due to certain decisions coming out of the Lodha Committee, he and Jatin Paranjpe were removed from their post with the panel being reduced to a mere three individuals.
