‘You’ve Been a Big Brother’: Kohli Wishes Dhoni on His Birthday

Virat Kohli made his international debut for India under MS Dhoni’s captaincy back in 2008.

(Photo: AP)

Indian skipper Virat Kohli, wished former Indian captain MS Dhoni who turned 38 on Sunday, 7 July. Having made his international debut under Dhoni, Kohli shares immense respect and brotherhood with Dhoni, a relationship which has grown stronger over the years.

On Sunday, taking to Twitter, Kohli wrote ‘Happy birthday mahi bhai. Very few people understand the meaning of trust and respect and I'm glad to have had the friendship I have with you for so many years. You've been a big brother to all of us and as I said before, you will always be my captain'.

Kohli-led India registered a 7-wicket win over Sri Lanka at Leeds on Saturday, 6 July, to end the group stage on top of the standings with 15 points from 9 games. The Men in Blue will now play New Zealand in the ICC World Cup semifinals on 9 July.

Meanwhile, reports of Dhoni deciding to quit international cricket after the 2019 World Cup have started doing the rounds. As per a PTI report, a senior BCCI Official has already ‘hinted’ at Dhoni’s possible retirement after the ongoing World Cup.

"You never know with Dhoni. But it is unlikely that he will continue to play for India after this World Cup. But since his decisions to quit captaincy from the three formats have been taken so suddenly, it is very difficult to predict at the moment," a senior BCCI official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

India reached the semis after topping the points table in the league stage with 15 points from 9 games. While Kohli has scored 442 runs in the tournament so far with five fifties to his name, Dhoni has scored 223 runs with a fifty against West Indies.

A veteran of 90 Tests, 349 ODIs and 98 T20Is for India, Dhoni is playing in his fourth World Cup for India.