Former India player Laxman Sivaramakrishnan feels that MS Dhoni is the best white-ball captain and Virat Kohli is the best red-ball captain. Sivaramakrishnan praised Kohli’s attacking style of cricket but also praised Dhoni’s calm demeanor.
Both Kohli and Dhoni have led India for a long time and have been successful during their respective captaincy tenures. While Kohli was known for his aggressive leadership style, Dhoni was more calculating and calm on the field.
Dhoni began leading the Indian team in 2007 and established himself as a composed and astute captain. Meanwhile, Kohli always seemed to be the face of the opposition with his aggressive style. Both players were different in their approach but were very successful.
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Laxman Sivaramakrishnan picks Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni as best captains
While speaking on Cricket Petta, Sony Sport’s Tamil cricket podcast, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan praised Virat Kohli for his attacking mentality and stated that a player must show his emotions on the field, citing the example of Indies great Vivian Richards Westerners.
“(Virat) Kohli’s attacking attitude is something he enjoys and celebrates. You should show your emotions. You shouldn’t be like a machine on the ground and“You should have an attitude like Sir Vivian Richards, who would intimidate bowlers with his eyes,” Sivaramakrishnan said..
“Kohli’s attacking attitude and Dhoni’s calm attitude. For me, the best captain of the red ball is Virat and the white ball is MS Dhoni,” he added.
Records of Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni as captain of India
Virat Kohli is India’s most successful Test captain. The 36-year-old has led the team in 68 matches in which India has won 40 matches with a winning percentage of 58.82.
Under his leadership, India won their first Test series in Australia, which was also the first for an Asian team. MS Dhoni is the second most successful Indian Test captain with 27 wins in 60 matches and a win percentage of 45.
Meanwhile, MS Dhoni is India’s most successful captain in ODIs and the second most successful captain in T20Is. He has led India in 200 ODIs in which the Men in Blue have won 110 matches with a winning percentage of 110. Kohli is fourth in this list with 65 wins in 95 matches.
Under MS Dhoni, India won three ICC titles – the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. Dhoni is the only captain in the world to have achieved this feat so far. .
Laxman Sivaramakrishnan on the best captain during his playing days
Talking about his playing days, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan named Sunil Gavaskar as the best captain in terms of strategy and Kapil Dev in terms of instincts. He cited the example of the 1983 World Cup, when Kapil gave an extra to Madan Lal, resulting in the dismissal of Viv Richards.
“Sunil Gavaskar was the best captain I played under. He was very good with strategy and analytical approach. Kapil Dev was a very instinctive captain. He will go with his instinct and h.We gave an extra to Madan Lal in 1983, that is instinctive captaincy,” Sivaramakrishnan said..
Under the leadership of Kapil Dev, India won the 1983 ODI World Cup in stunning fashion by defeating two-time defending champions West Indies in the final. Sunil Gavaskar was also part of that title-winning team.
