2017 ICC Champions Trophy: India Have Been Led So Beautifully By MS Dhoni: Virat Kohli
Nov 2, 2023 at 3:41 PM
Virat Kohli’s One-Day Captaincy has begun in the most challenging of ways. The Test skipper was appointed the skipper in the limited-overs format in January this year and just after leading the Men in Blue in three ODIs, the 28-year old is facing the huge challenge of defending the ICC Champions Trophy.
But fortunately, Kohli has got the perfect man by his side in the form of his predecessor Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Ever since taking the reins of the team, Kohli has spoken about the immense respect he has for India’s most decorated skipper and the 28-year old once again paid his tribute to the former captain and indicated he is keen to replicate Dhoni’s success and lead the Men in Blue to the Champions Trophy title.
“India have been led so beautifully by MS. I am doing what is in my little ability to take the team forward and repeat the same performances,” Kohli said after the team dinner at Lord’s on Monday (June 14).
Barring the shocking loss against Sri Lanka, India has looked in total command during the group stage. In the tournament opener, they thrashed Pakistan by 124 runs before hammering South Africa by eight wickets in their final group match to qualify for the semifinal where they will take on Bangladesh on Thursday (June 15).
Meanwhile, Dhoni warned the team against complacency. The 35-year old, who was the skipper of the team during two disastrous Test series in England when the team lost 4-0 and 3-1, spoke about the challenges of playing in English conditions before relishing his Champions Trophy win in the country four years ago.
“Playing in England has its own challenges. I have my bad memories too but winning the Champions Trophy was a great thing,” said Dhoni.
At a time when the team is surrounded by the alleged rift between the captain and the head coach, MS Dhoni’s calm presence is surely doing the trick for the defending champions. The team has looked pumped up on the ground and everybody would be keen to see it winning the next two matches to create history.