“Dhoni Looked Better Than Kohli in Test” – Ex-New Zealand Cricketer
Neil Wagner recalls how Virat Kohli looked unsettled but MS Dhoni handled him calmly during India’s 2014 Test in Auckland.
Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni are often spoken of in the same breath when it comes to India’s greatest leaders. Kohli ended his reign as India’s most successful Test captain, while Dhoni remains the only skipper to have won all three ICC white-ball trophies.
Both touched 10,000 ODI runs, but Kohli built a stronger Test record with 14 centuries overseas, something Dhoni could never achieve. Yet, things were not always as clear-cut in the early years.
Former New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner recalled how, during a 2014 Test in Auckland, the two legends reacted differently to his short-ball strategy. Wagner said Kohli looked troubled, while Dhoni stayed calm.
“This Test match, I remember the wicket being quite flat, but there was a bit of pace and bounce,” Wagner said on the Red Inker Cricket Podcast.
“I remember bowling a couple of bouncers… particularly Kohli looked a bit unsettled. He didn’t know if he should take it on or not.”
Kohli eventually fell for 67, caught by BJ Watling trying to pull a rising delivery. Wagner felt his plan worked as Kohli seemed stuck between attack and defense.
Dhoni handled it differently
Wagner, however, admitted Dhoni was far more assured against the same ploy. Batting with Ravindra Jadeja in a 54-run stand, Dhoni gave India hope of chasing 407 before Wagner removed him with a clever slower bouncer.
“Dhoni didn’t look like it was bothering him too much,” Wagner said. “I bowled a slower ball bouncer and he chopped it on. I was amazed by it. The confidence I got from that was huge.”
India were bowled out for 366, losing the match by 40 runs. Wagner finished with 4/62, and the contest became one of the early reminders of Kohli’s overseas struggles and Dhoni’s calm under fire.
