MS Dhoni Virat Kohli. Image Credits: X
MS Dhoni gave up his Team India captaincy more than nine years ago back in January 2017. In doing so, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter brought curtains to his decade-old glittering captaincy career for the Indian cricket team.
During his tenure at the top, MS Dhoni led Team India to pretty much every major accolade the sport had to offer at the time, including a drought-ending ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2011. Moreover, the CSK legend even made instant impact as India skipper by conquering the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Fast forward to February 2026, fresh details have surfaced around the circumstances of his decision to step down, with Virat Kohli’s name now emerging as part of the larger narrative behind that leadership transition.
Jatin Paranjpe says he asked MS Dhoni to quit captaincy
While speaking on The Great Indian Cricket Show, Jatin Paranjpe revealed that he along with then BCCI chairman of selectors MSK Prasad had approached MS Dhoni back in January 2017. As per Paranjpe, the two respectfully asked Dhoni to quit captaincy on his own terms owing to the latter’s legendary status.
The former Indian selector added that MS Dhoni humbly decided to step aside, and even sent a formal email to the BCCI with his decision.
Jatin Paranjpe said “MSK and I were just looking at each other. We had prepared how to tell him in the most respectful way. So, we went to him and said, ‘You know, Mahi, I think it’s the right time to move on.’ So, he told MSK, ‘Anna, this is the perfect decision. Let me know what you want from me.’”
MS Dhoni vowed full support for new captain Virat Kohli
Jatin Paranjpe added that Dhoni vowed to support new captain Virat Kohli to his fullest going forward. As per him, the legendary stumper was willing to share his experience with Kohli, and expressed his commitment in forming a formidable white-ball Indian team.
Paranjpe said, “He also said Don’t worry. I will work completely with Virat. He is like my brother. I will do everything that is required of me for him. Whatever experience I have, I will give it to him. And we’ll make a good team.”
Virat Kohli carried Dhoni’s legacy forward with utmost flair
It is worth noting that Virat Kohli was already Team India’s Test captain when Dhoni stepped away from his leadership responsibilities. While Kohli led the Indian team sporadically at first, he was named the team’s full-time red-ball skipper after the wicketkeeper’s retirement midway into India’s 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series in Australia.
By 2017, the modern-day run machine became India’s all-format captain. Unfortunately, under his leadership, Team India failed to win a single ICC event but came agonizingly close on several occasions.
For instance, the ‘Men in Blue’ reached the final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, the semifinal of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and the final of the 2021 WTC, all in England.
Virat Kohli did find much success in Test cricket, and even surpassed Dhoni to become India’s most successful Test captain of all time. In 68 matches under him, India won 40 Tests as opposed to the 27 wins India registered from 60 matches under MS Dhoni.
Both Dhoni and Kohli have long shared a bond built on mutual respect, trust, and a friendship that played a defining role in shaping one of Indian cricket’s most successful leadership transitions.
Last month, the CSK skipper even backed his ex-protégé to come up clutch for India in next year’s 2027 World Cup.
