Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma: India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel decodes difference between three captains

When discussing on the subject of successful captains for India, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli every time remain in the discourse. While MS Dhoni led India to three ICC honours – T20I World Cup 2007, ODI World Cup 2011 and Champions Trophy 2013, Virat Kohli guided India to their first maiden Test series win in Australia in 2019-19. Amidst the conversation of eminent India skippers, Rohit Sharma’s name is also thrown, as the 33-year-old has led Mumbai Indians to four Indian Premier League (IPL) titles.

Whenever Virat Kohli is rested from a series, Rohit Sharma has been given the duty, and has proven his mettle – winning Asia Cup and Nidahas T20I Trophy in 2018.

Indian wicket-keeper batsman Parthiv Patel, who has played under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma for the national team, and in the IPL, elucidated the distinctness in approachs of captaincy between the three. “I think MS Dhoni knows completely about every player’s potential and what all can be extracted out from him. We talk about giving your 100 per cent, but every player’s level of 100 percent varies,” he said in an interaction with former India batsman Aakash Chopra.

“So, Dhoni knows what is a potential of a player, and he brings that out. He lets them play in their own style, and gives them space to express themselves,” he added.

“Rohit plans really well. At bowlers’ meet, he is completely involved. He figures out how to use the information that has been given to him, and which player can be used in what role - he is a master in figuring that out. He has improved a lot over the years, starting from 2014 to now, if you look at him. At man-management, Dhoni and Rohit are really good at,” Parthiv said.

“Virat has different style of captaincy, he likes to be right in front every time, he likes to be lead from front and be aggressive all the time. It is his style and it has suited him. Dhoni and Rohit keeps the dressing room calm while Virat makes sure that everyone is on their toes and they all keep pushing themselves,” he further added.

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