Indian batter Virat Kohli fondly remembered Mahendra Singh Dhoni, dedicating a heartwarming social media post to the former skipper on Thursday.
Being this man’s trusted deputy was the most enjoyable and exciting period in my career. Our partnerships would always be special to me forever. 7+18,” Kohli wrote.
Kohli took over the reins of Test captaincy from Dhoni in 2014 and went onto become one of India’s most successful captains in the format. He remained his deputy in limited-overs cricket till 2017. Dhoni was a vital cog in Kohli’s limited-overs setup until his retirement post the 2019 ODI World Cup in England.
The former India captains last batted together during that tournament in a group stage match against West Indies and added 40 runs for the fifth wicket. The duo scored 3090 runs in 80 innings across the three formats while batting together, averaging 47.53, and struck six century partnerships.
Sportstar takes a look at some of the duo’s standout partnerships.
Kohli and Dhoni during an ICC T20 World Cup match against Australia at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on March 27, 2016. | Photo Credit: AKHILESH KUMAR
India vs Australia: T20 World Cup – Mohali, 2016 (67* off 31)
Captain Dhoni and his deputy Kohli guided India to the semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2016 with a clinical 67-run partnership off 31 balls in a virtual quarterfinal against Australia in Mohali. India was stuttering at 94 for four in 14 overs after the dismissal of Yuvraj Singh when the famed duo took over and steered the ‘Men in Blue’ to a six-wicket win. Kohli was the aggressor with an unbeaten 51-ball 82 while Dhoni, 18 not out in 10 balls, imparted the finishing touches with a four at long-on off a low full toss from James Faulkner as India cruised home with five balls to spare.
FILE PHOTO: In this photograph taken on January 11, 2010, Kohli holds the man of the match trophy as captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni looks on after a Tri-Nations ODI game against Bangladesh at The Sher-e Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. | Photo Credit: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN
India vs Bangladesh: Tri-Nation Series – Mirpur, 2010 (152 off 161)
Dhoni and Kohli struck their highest partnership in One-Day International cricket when they added 152 runs off 161 balls and bailed India out against Bangladesh in a tri-nation tournament in 2010. After the departure of Yuvraj, India was in a spot of bother at 51 for three, chasing a daunting 297 in Mirpur. Kohli was eventually dismissed for 91 off 102 balls, but not before taking India to the safety of 203 for four. Dhoni upped the ante after Kohli’s fall, ending with an unbeaten 101 off 107 while Suresh Raina chipped in with a valuable 43-ball unbeaten 51 to script a six-wicket win with 15 balls to spare.
India vs New Zealand: Third ODI – Mohali, 2016 (151 off 163)
In another rescue act for India, Kohli and Dhoni struck an alliance of 151 runs off 163 balls in the third ODI against New Zealand in Mohali in 2016. India had lost openers Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma with 41 runs on the board, chasing 286, when Dhoni promoted himself to No. 4 and scored a fluent 80 off 91 balls, playing second fiddle to chase master Kohli, who was unbeaten on 154 off 134 balls when India cantered to a seven-wicket win. After Dhoni was gone with 97 needed, Manish Pandey held one end up with a 34-ball unbeaten 28 before wrapping up the game with a four to the midwicket fence.
Dhoni and Kohli run a single. | Photo Credit: AKHILESH KUMAR
India vs New Zealand: Second Test – Bengaluru, 2012 (96* off 121)
Kohli and Dhoni scripted a thrilling win for India in the second Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru in 2012 with an unbeaten 96-run partnership off 121 balls.
Dhoni and Kohli celebrate their win over New Zealand in the 2nd Test in Bengaluru in 2012. | Photo Credit: PTI
On an overcast fourth day, with the ball seaming around and also turning a bit, India was reduced to 166 for five while chasing 261. Kohli scored a disciplined 82-ball 51 while Dhoni’s 48 off 60 was bookended by aggression. He raced to 16 off 10 balls despite India’s precarious situation before sealing India’s five-wicket win with a four and a six off Jeetan Patel. The duo had also struck a crucial 122-run stand for the sixth wicket in the first innings.
Dhoni and Kohli take a run as England captain Alastair Cook looks on. | Photo Credit: DEEPAK KR
India vs England: Fourth Test – Nagpur, 2012 (198 off 569)
The then captain and future captain of India underwent a grueling test of patience, skill and temperament for their 198-run partnership off 569 balls in the fourth and final Test against England in Nagpur in 2012. India had lost the top four for 71 on the third day, in reply to England’s 330 in the first innings. Trailing 1-2 in the series, India was desperate to eke out a win and draw level. On a slow and low pitch, Kohli scored 103 off 295 balls before Dhoni was run out for 99 off 246. The duo ensured India managed 326 for nine declared before England showed grit and drew the match to win the series 2-1.
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