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MS Dhoni vs Virat Kohli

The better test captain

  • Dhoni

    Votes: 3 15.0%

  • Kohli

    Votes: 17 85.0%
  • Total voters
    20
Thala_0710

Thala_0710

International Regular
Ashwin on Kohli recently:
"If you don’t understand a bowler, this is what happens. But if you understand a bowler, you know he’s going through a good spell, allow him to build on that spell," Ashwin said.
Akash Deep was bowling a fabulous spell at the Gabba. He was probably bowling his best, but Bumrah wasn't. He was going through a wonderful spell of 3-4 overs. I was watching the game from outside. I saw Virat run up to him and say, ‘seedha daalo yaar, seedha daalo!’ [bowl straight!]. Immediately, out came a fielder and he went to leg gully. Aakash Deep bowled on the body and a couple of balls on the leg side, he got flicked and pulled. His rhythm went awry,"

I agree with Ashwin here and his understanding of the game, both for bowling and in general tactically, is where Kohli lacks, and hence I don't rate him high as a test captain as others do.
 
Cricket Bliss

Cricket Bliss

U19 Vice-Captain
I guess Wadekar is the next best Indian Captain after Kohli... won the away series against West Indies and England in 1971.
 
Johan

Johan

International Coach
Thala_0710 said:
Ashwin on Kohli recently:
"If you don’t understand a bowler, this is what happens. But if you understand a bowler, you know he’s going through a good spell, allow him to build on that spell," Ashwin said.
Akash Deep was bowling a fabulous spell at the Gabba. He was probably bowling his best, but Bumrah wasn't. He was going through a wonderful spell of 3-4 overs. I was watching the game from outside. I saw Virat run up to him and say, ‘seedha daalo yaar, seedha daalo!’ [bowl straight!]. Immediately, out came a fielder and he went to leg gully. Aakash Deep bowled on the body and a couple of balls on the leg side, he got flicked and pulled. His rhythm went awry,"

I agree with Ashwin here and his understanding of the game, both for bowling and in general tactically, is where Kohli lacks, and hence I don't rate him high as a test captain as others do.
Click to expand...
still a better captain than Joe Root
 
centurymaker

centurymaker

Cricketer Of The Year
Thala_0710 said:
Ashwin on Kohli recently:
"If you don’t understand a bowler, this is what happens. But if you understand a bowler, you know he’s going through a good spell, allow him to build on that spell," Ashwin said.
Akash Deep was bowling a fabulous spell at the Gabba. He was probably bowling his best, but Bumrah wasn't. He was going through a wonderful spell of 3-4 overs. I was watching the game from outside. I saw Virat run up to him and say, ‘seedha daalo yaar, seedha daalo!’ [bowl straight!]. Immediately, out came a fielder and he went to leg gully. Aakash Deep bowled on the body and a couple of balls on the leg side, he got flicked and pulled. His rhythm went awry,"

I agree with Ashwin here and his understanding of the game, both for bowling and in general tactically, is where Kohli lacks, and hence I don't rate him high as a test captain as others do.
Click to expand...
Ashwin can say whatever but Kohli did no wrong in suggesting Akash deep to bowl straighter. Smith had been getting out that way. Plus he had survived marginal LBWs in that innings itself (off the straight ones from Akash). Outside off, there had been no success and just a whole bunch of plays and misses, so it made sense to bowl a little straighter to Smith and not waste deliveries faaaar outside off which Akash was already a little guilty of doing.

Remember a fast bowler only has 6 or so overs before end of spell, and not all of that is to one batsman. So you only have like 15-20 balls at a particular batter before you're off. So you can't waste it away.
 
N

Nunedsharma

Cricket Spectator
MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli are two of the biggest names in the Indian Premier League (IPL), each with their own unique style and remarkable achievements.After Check IPL Stats of Both.

Dhoni is known for his calm leadership and finishing skills. As the captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he has led them to multiple IPL titles, cementing his legacy as one of the best leaders in the history of the tournament.


Kohli, the former captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), has been one of the most consistent performers in the IPL. With a ton of runs, including the highest score of 122, he holds the record for the most runs in a season (973 in 2016), but his team has yet to clinch an IPL title.
 
sayon basak

sayon basak

Cricketer Of The Year
Nunedsharma said:
MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli are two of the biggest names in the Indian Premier League (IPL), each with their own unique style and remarkable achievements.After Check IPL Stats of Both.

Dhoni is known for his calm leadership and finishing skills. As the captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he has led them to multiple IPL titles, cementing his legacy as one of the best leaders in the history of the tournament.


Kohli, the former captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), has been one of the most consistent performers in the IPL. With a ton of runs, including the highest score of 122, he holds the record for the most runs in a season (973 in 2016), but his team has yet to clinch an IPL title.
Click to expand...
The thread is about Tests tbf.
 
centurymaker

centurymaker

Cricketer Of The Year
How many tests did Kohli not have Bumrah in SENA when he was captain? Almost none. So it's not applicable.
 
centurymaker

centurymaker

Cricketer Of The Year
Kohli as captain never lost or even drew a series at home.

Dhoni however lost to England, drew against SA. Let's not forget that he cost India a 1st ever series win in SA in 2010/11 with his ridiculous negative tactics in the 3rd inns of the final test in Cape Town. I am sure a lot of Indian Test fans haven't forgiven him for that.
 
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Thala_0710

Thala_0710

International Regular
centurymaker said:
Kohli never lost or even drew a series at home as captain.
Click to expand...
He had prime Ashwin and Jadeja throughout his time! Results wise, Kohli is obviously clear of Dhoni in tests. But he didn't have to deal with a transition phase like we had in 2011-12 or like one we are having now/about to have.
Like you earlier said, he only played 4 Sena tests without Bumrah, where we lost 3 and drew 1. But it also means that he had Bumrah for the majority of Sena games, and he makes most captains look great. Kohli deserves praise for his more attacking approach, playing 4 fast bowlers overseas to get results etc. But a large part of those results is IND having its best ever bowling line up in this period with Ash Jaddu at home and Bumrah Shami Ishant overseas too. I still feel Dhoni, even though was much more pragmatic, and too defensive at times, gets discredited a lot. I still maintain he was a level above Kohli tactically (even in tests yes). Look at the pre transition period. Dhoni bought new and innovative methods to field setups etc for us, where our tactics had been quite static in approach before. He had good results as well both home and away during that period.
Then came the transition phase where most of our greats retired/fell off in a short space of time from 2011-12. Kohli didn't need to deal with issue, which broadens the gap between results on paper.

Dhoni btw whitewashed Australia twice at home, won our first series in NZ in 30+ years, and drew to prime SA away. All with decent/poor. pace attacks
 
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