[WATCH] "He has been amongst the best when it comes to world cricket" - MS Dhoni when asked about Virat Kohli

Former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has heaped praise on Virat Kohli by terming the flamboyant batter as one of the best players in world cricket. After having led the Indian Colts to victory in the ICC Men's Under 19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia in March 2008, a young Virat Kohli made his ODI debut for India against Sri Lanka in Dambulla in August 2008 under Dhoni's captaincy.

He then had to wait almost three years for his Test debut, representing India for the first time in the longer format of the game against the West Indies at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, in June 2011 under MS Dhoni's leadership. At a recent event, the 2011 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup-winning captain opened up about the bond he shares with Virat Kohli.

In a now-viral video, Dhoni is seen saying:

"We have been playing since 2008/09, there's still an age gap. So I don't know whether I would say like I am an older brother or colleague or whatever name you give it. But at the end of the day, we have been colleagues, you know, who played for India for a very long time. He has been amongst the best when it comes to world cricket."

Here's the video (via @mufaddal_vohra on X):

Virat Kohli was adjudged Player of the Match in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup final

While MS Dhoni's men won the inaugural ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2007, India clinched their second T20 World Cup title in June this year, defeating South Africa by seven runs in the final held at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. Virat Kohli was adjudged Player of the Match for his vital 59-ball 76-run knock which comprised six fours and two sixes.

Kohli was also named Player of the Tournament at the 2014 and 2016 editions of the T20 World Cup which the MS Dhoni-led Men in Blue lost in the final and semifinal respectively. Meanwhile, Dhoni was last seen in action for the Chennai Super Kings during the 17th season of the IPL in May this year.