Ex-NZ Pacer Highlights Stark Contrast Between Virat Kohli’s Restlessness and MS Dhoni’s Composure as Captains

Former New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner recalled bowling to Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni during the 2014 Auckland Test.

Kohli vs Dhoni: Contrasting Overseas Batting Journeys

Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni are two of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history. While Dhoni won all three major white-ball trophies, Kohli became India’s most successful Test captain. Both crossed 10,000 ODI runs, but Kohli’s dominance in Tests, with 14 of his 30 centuries coming overseas, gives him the edge. Dhoni, meanwhile, never managed an overseas century.

Interestingly, this wasn’t always the case. In the early stages of Virat Kohli’s Test career, Dhoni often looked more comfortable on foreign pitches, especially in SENA nations. For instance, during a 2014 Test against New Zealand, pacer Neil Wagner revealed how he troubled Kohli with short-pitched bowling, while Dhoni managed those deliveries with relative ease. Wagner recalled that Kohli appeared unsettled and eventually edged one to BJ Watling, showing how Dhoni, at the time, seemed better equipped to handle overseas challenges.

‘MS Dhoni didn’t look like it was bothering him’

The series opener in Auckland 2014 highlighted contrasting fortunes for Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni against New Zealand’s pace attack. Chasing a daunting 407, Kohli initially steadied India with a fluent 67, combining with Shikhar Dhawan’s century to keep hopes alive. At 268/5, with Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja adding a crucial 54-run stand, India briefly entertained thoughts of a famous victory.

However, Neil Wagner’s relentless short-ball strategy turned the game on its head. Returning impressive figures of 4/62, he dismantled India’s resistance and bowled them out for 366, handing New Zealand a 40-run win. Looking back, Wagner took special pride in dismissing Dhoni, who until then had handled the barrage of short deliveries with composure.

“Dhoni didn’t look too bothered, and it seemed like he might take the game away,” Wagner recalled. “But I trusted my gut and bowled a slower bouncer. He chopped it on, and I was amazed. That wicket gave me belief and confidence in my plans.”

Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!

• How To Get Free Bonus On E2Bet

• What is E2bet