Virat Kohli wasn’t always King Kohli. Back in 2012, he wasn’t yet the cricket superstar we know today. What some don’t know is that he was actually close to losing it all. Hard to believe, but he was just hanging on by a thread. If not for a certain cool-headed teammate, things might have turned out quite differently.
So, who saved Virat Kohli career? It was the one and only Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Captain Cool of Indian cricket. Want to hear how he saved what would become one of cricket’s biggest careers ever? Hang around.
Kohli’s early days in cricket
Just after leading India’s under-19 team to World Cup victory in 2008, Kohli walked into international cricket like hot stuff. He had made it, or so he thought. But he was in for a reality check. It turned out that starting out in international cricket is tough.
Sure, Kohli could bat. He’d show moments where he’d look like a superstar, but consistency was a whole different ball game. He’d score big one day and then get out for nothing the next. The fans and critics were starting to get restless. People kept asking if he was really ready for international cricket. The pressure was intense—imagine having over a billion people watching your every move.
The pressure wasn’t just on the field either. Every time Kohli stepped out, cameras followed him everywhere. One bad shot, one mistake, and it would be all over the news. That’s the thing about Indian cricket—it’s like a religion for the fans. And when you’re playing for India, you’re carrying the hopes of an entire nation.
The Australia nightmare
Then came that brutal Australia tour in 2011-2012. If Kohli thought he’d had tough times before, this was something else entirely. India was getting absolutely hammered in the Test matches. In Melbourne, Kohli barely managed 11 runs. Even in Sydney, it wasn’t much better.
The Australian bowlers were all over him. The bouncy pitches, the hostile crowds, the aggressive fielding—everything seemed to be working against him. The newspapers weren’t kind either. Headlines questioned his technique, his temperament, even his place in the team.
The cricket world was buzzing with talk about dropping him. Everyone was comparing him to Rohit Sharma, wondering who should get the spot. Things were looking pretty grim for young Kohli. The selectors were meeting regularly, and word was getting around that they were seriously considering showing Kohli the door.
Enter MS Dhoni – the career saver
Let’s see the story of who saved the career of Virat Kohli. This is where Dhoni comes in. While everyone else was ready to show Kohli the door, Mahendra Singh Dhoni just wouldn’t have it. He saw something in the kid that others missed. When people were clamoring for him to be dropped, Dhoni would object, insisting that he stayed.
Later on, Virender Sehwag revealed how he and Dhoni fought to keep Kohli in the team for that third Test match. During team meetings, Dhoni would consistently speak up for Kohli, pointing out his potential and his fighting spirit.
But Dhoni, who saved the Virat Kohli career, didn’t just defend Kohli in meetings. He worked with him behind the scenes too. After practice sessions, they’d often be seen talking cricket, with Dhoni sharing his experience about handling pressure and playing in Australian conditions. That’s what made Dhoni special. He was a captain, but also a good mentor.
Kohli fights back in Perth
With Dhoni in his corner, Kohli walked out to bat in Perth with a lot of determination. The pressure was enormous as everyone knew this could be his last chance. While he didn’t set the world on fire, his 44 and 75 in that match spoke volumes. He was showing everyone he could handle those bouncy Australian pitches.
These weren’t just any runs too. They were tough runs that showed character. Every run was a statement that he belonged in that moment. The way he handled the short balls, the way he left the ones outside off stump, the way he fought—it was all different from the Kohli everyone had seen before.
By the time they got to Adelaide for the fourth Test, Kohli was on a roll. He smashed his first Test century with a solid 116. The same people who wanted him out were now begin to sing his praises. But more than the runs, it was the way he made them. Yes, he was surviving, but he was absolutely dominating.
The Dhoni-Kohli bond
The connection wasn’t just a one-off thing between Dhoni and Kohli. Over the years, they became tight, with Dhoni becoming like an older brother. Their partnership on the field was something special to watch. They understood each other’s game perfectly, like magic. They didn’t even need to talk—one look and they knew exactly when to run.
Even after Dhoni passed the captain’s job to Kohli in 2017, he stuck around. You’d catch them chatting during games, Dhoni dropping knowledge while Kohli just took it all in. Everyone could see how much these guys respected each other.
Kohli has never been shy about admitting how much Dhoni helped him. Whether he’s talking to reporters or posting online, he never forgets to give Dhoni props. It’s pretty clear their friendship goes way beyond just cricket.
Kohli’s rise after 2012
After that rough patch in Australia, Kohli just took off. He became India’s go-to guy in every format of the game. Whether India needed someone to chase down an impossible target or grind it out in a Test match, Kohli was their man.
He started breaking records left and right:
- Fastest player to reach 8,000, 9,000, and 10,000 runs in ODIs.
- More centuries than most players dream of in their entire careers.
- Led India to some unforgettable victories as captain.
His consistency was really incredible. No matter the format, no matter the opposition, no matter the conditions, Kohli would deliver.
Kohli brought a new intensity to Indian cricket. His fitness standards became the benchmark for the entire team. His passion on the field was equally infectious. Every time he scored a hundred, every time he took a catch, every time India won, you could see what it meant to him.
What makes a great leader?
The way Dhoni stuck by Kohli when things were rough is what true leadership looks like.
Here’s what Dhoni taught us:
- Spot Talent Early: Dhoni saw potential in Kohli when others were ready to give up on him.
- Give People a Chance: Everyone deserves a second shot, especially when they’ve got the talent to make it count.
- Be Patient: Success doesn’t come overnight. Kohli needed time to grow into the player he is today.
Being a leader isn’t just about making the right calls during a game. Sometimes it’s about backing someone when they’re down.
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The bottom line
So who saved Virat Kohli career in cricket? MS Dhoni, without a doubt. When everyone else was ready to write Kohli off, Dhoni saw something special in him and refused to let that talent go to waste.
Look at Kohli now—a cricket legend whose records speak for themselves. But even with all his success, he knows one thing for sure: none of it would’ve happened if Dhoni hadn’t believed in him when it mattered most.