'There's always a line of respect' - MS Dhoni opens up on his friendship with Virat Kohli

Former India captain MS Dhoni has opened up about his amazing companionship with the modern-day batting master Virat Kohli. Notably, the Indian star batter has stated that the only cricketer who genuinely reached out to him was MS Dhoni after he stepped down as the captain of team India after losing the Test series against South Africa.

Virat Kohli revealed that apart from his childhood coach and family, the only cricketer who reached out during his poor form was MS Dhoni. While Anushka Sharma seems to be his biggest source of strength, MS Dhoni's gesture for Kohli remains exceptional.

In the same vein, Dhoni explained how his relationship with the 36-year-old batter evolved over the years, stating that they are still very great friends off the field. The 43-year-old legend said that they had a relationship as a captain and a player, but later it evolved into a great friendship.

Dhoni's candid opinion of Kohli

"It was always an honest exchange of ideas - whether a certain approach was right or if an adjustment could have been made. Initially, it was more of a relationship between a captain and a young player, but over time, as we kept interacting, we became friends. Even today, we share that bond, though there's always a line of respect between a senior and a junior. Now that neither of us is captain, we get more time to talk before matches," Dhoni said about his relationship with Kohli on JioStar. 

Notably, MS Dhoni mentored the star batter during the early stages of the latter's career. Dhoni handed his captaincy baton to Kohli when he retired midway through a Test series in Australia in 2014. The wicketkeeper-batter has played under Virat Kohli's leadership for two years in white-ball games.

The two-star batters are set to reunite when Chennai Super Kings host Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Saturday at MA Chidambaram Cricket Stadium in Chennai.

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