MS Dhoni is one of the greatest captains in the history of cricket. He is the only captain to have won all three ICC trophies - 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. During Virat Kohli’s tenure, India made huge strides in Test cricket but failed to win a major tournament.
India’s drought for an ICC trophy thus continued and it finally came to an end when Rohit Sharma led the Men in Blue to glory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. With the Champions Trophy 2025 coming up, the veteran opener is aiming to enter the elite list of Indian captains with multiple world titles.
Also Read: ‘You will shame yourself if…’ - Harbhajan Singh recalls his advice to ‘self doubting’ young Virat Kohli
Although Dhoni and Rohit have won five IPL trophies for Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians respectively, the former is leading in terms of more success. Meanwhile, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, who has played under both captains, shared interesting insights into the captaincy styles of both.
Speaking on the podcast ‘Find a Way with Taruwar Kohli’, Bhajji opined that "Dhoni and Rohit are completely different leaders. Sharing an incident, the legendary spinner said that Dhoni would let his players learn from their mistakes.
“MS Dhoni will never go to a player and will ask him what field you want. He will let you learn from your mistakes. I remember a game where I was fielding at the short fine leg and MS Dhoni was keeping. Shardul Thakur was bowling and the first ball Kane Williamson hit him down the ground for a boundary. Next ball, same length and Williamson played the same shot. I went to MS and asked him to tell Shardul try and bowl differently. MS said to me ‘Paji If I will tell him now, then he will never learn. Let him learn by himself.' His thought process was - maar khayega to khud sikhega ( he will learn if he gets hit). Just like a kid grows up,” Harbhajan said.
Also Read: 'They were also tactically strong, but...' - R Ashwin points to key area while ranking captaincy styles of Dhoni, Kohli and Rohit
Rohit someone who will put his arm around your shoulder: Harbhajan
Harbhajan then went on to explain Rohit's style of captaincy. According to him, the Mumbai cricketer is someone who always motivates the players to deliver what the team expects from him.
"Rohit is very different. He will go and talk to each player. He is someone who will put his arm around your shoulder and tell you what he expects from you. He will give you that confidence that yes you can do it," said Harbhajan.
"He is leading for 12-13 years MI and then India. That experience show. In the last two-three years, the major change that has come is leading in Tests. In shorter format, you can get away but in Tests that is not the case,” the 44-year-old added.
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‘Maar khayega toh…’ - Harbhajan Singh makes interesting comment while sharing insights on MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma's captaincy styles
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, who has played under both Rohit and Dhoni, shared interesting insights into the captaincy styles of both.
Harbhajan Singh (L), MS Dhoni & Rohit Sharma (Source: X)
MS Dhoni is one of the greatest captains in the history of cricket. He is the only captain to have won all three ICC trophies - 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. During Virat Kohli’s tenure, India made huge strides in Test cricket but failed to win a major tournament.
India’s drought for an ICC trophy thus continued and it finally came to an end when Rohit Sharma led the Men in Blue to glory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. With the Champions Trophy 2025 coming up, the veteran opener is aiming to enter the elite list of Indian captains with multiple world titles.
Also Read: ‘You will shame yourself if…’ - Harbhajan Singh recalls his advice to ‘self doubting’ young Virat Kohli
Although Dhoni and Rohit have won five IPL trophies for Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians respectively, the former is leading in terms of more success. Meanwhile, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, who has played under both captains, shared interesting insights into the captaincy styles of both.
Speaking on the podcast ‘Find a Way with Taruwar Kohli’, Bhajji opined that "Dhoni and Rohit are completely different leaders. Sharing an incident, the legendary spinner said that Dhoni would let his players learn from their mistakes.
“MS Dhoni will never go to a player and will ask him what field you want. He will let you learn from your mistakes. I remember a game where I was fielding at the short fine leg and MS Dhoni was keeping. Shardul Thakur was bowling and the first ball Kane Williamson hit him down the ground for a boundary. Next ball, same length and Williamson played the same shot. I went to MS and asked him to tell Shardul try and bowl differently. MS said to me ‘Paji If I will tell him now, then he will never learn. Let him learn by himself.' His thought process was - maar khayega to khud sikhega ( he will learn if he gets hit). Just like a kid grows up,” Harbhajan said.
Also Read: 'They were also tactically strong, but...' - R Ashwin points to key area while ranking captaincy styles of Dhoni, Kohli and Rohit
Rohit someone who will put his arm around your shoulder: Harbhajan
Harbhajan then went on to explain Rohit's style of captaincy. According to him, the Mumbai cricketer is someone who always motivates the players to deliver what the team expects from him.
"Rohit is very different. He will go and talk to each player. He is someone who will put his arm around your shoulder and tell you what he expects from you. He will give you that confidence that yes you can do it," said Harbhajan.
"He is leading for 12-13 years MI and then India. That experience show. In the last two-three years, the major change that has come is leading in Tests. In shorter format, you can get away but in Tests that is not the case,” the 44-year-old added.