Kohli Was Unsettled, Dhoni Unfazed’: 64-Test Veteran Neil Wagner Recalls Ultimate Contrast in 2014 Test

Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni are two of the greatest icons of Indian cricket.

While Dhoni arrived on the international scene a few years earlier than Kohli, their bond and understanding have always been admired. Kohli himself revealed in 2022 that when he stepped down as India’s Test captain, Dhoni was the only cricketer who personally messaged him.

Now, New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner has shared a fascinating incident involving the two legends during India’s 2014 Test match against New Zealand at Eden Park. Wagner recalled how Kohli and Dhoni responded very differently to his barrage of short-pitched deliveries.

“This Test match, I remember the wicket being quite flat, but there was pace and bounce. I bowled a couple of bouncers, and Kohli looked a bit unsettled. He wasn’t sure whether to take it on or leave it,” Wagner said on the Red Inker Cricket Podcast.

“He tried to pull one in front of square but got a toe end on it, and it carried through to BJ Watling. That created some pressure. But then Dhoni came in, and he didn’t look like it bothered him at all. Dhoni and Jadeja looked set to chase it down. Dhoni was calm, aggressive when needed, and just fearless. I even tried a slower-ball bouncer to him, and he chopped it on. That gave me confidence to back my instincts as a bowler,” Wagner added.

The anecdote once again highlights the stark contrast between the two Indian superstars — Kohli’s intensity and Dhoni’s composure — traits that defined their leadership styles.

Meanwhile, Indian cricket has recently seen several stalwarts walk away from the longest format. In the past few months, both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket, while Cheteshwar Pujara also called time on his illustrious red-ball career.

1983 World Cup winner Krishnamachari Srikkanth expressed disappointment at how these retirements were handled. He believes the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) failed to give senior players the farewell they deserved.

“If you play 100 Tests for your country, you are a terrific cricketer and must be given a proper send-off. I feel there was a big communication gap when Virat and Rohit retired. Even with Pujara, the board should have spoken to him beforehand,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

“Kohli deserved a better farewell. He still had two years of cricket left in him, but things ended abruptly. India will find it very difficult to get another player like him for some time. With Pujara too, it should have been managed better. It’s about cooperation between players, selectors, and the board,” he added.

As Indian cricket enters a new era, the legacy of Kohli, Dhoni, Rohit, and Pujara will remain benchmarks for the generations to come.