5 things that Virat Kohli learnt from Mahendra Singh Dhoni

#2 Fostering team bonding

The 2011 World Cup celebrations had trademark of Dhoni’s habit of putting team before self

Dhoni hit the winning six in the final of the 2011 World Cup. Then he satisfyingly let Sachin Tendulkar's emotions of finally winning a World Cup take over the celebrations. The festivity was not about the team’s captain playing a match-winning knock in the finals. The mood was that of each player paying a tribute to the ‘god of cricket’ they had idolised as a kid.

Dhoni had the habit of letting the young players in the team not feel out of place. On numerous occasions, the former Indian captain happily occupied a corner in the champions’ photograph which had newbies in the middle with the trophy. No second guesses on the young players would feel like being on the seventh heaven.

Being a part of the unit under Dhoni, Kohli has realised the advantages of having a good team spirit. Kohli openly exhibited his disappointment at Karun Nair’s run-out in his debut test match. At the post-match presentation, he assured Nair of a chance to play in the next game. Result – Nair made a historic 303*.

To come to terms with what the young players exactly need their captain to make them do better, Kohli can actively be seen having on-field communication and boldly appreciating a youngster’s performance.