Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Recalls Virat Kohli’s Early Captaincy Transition
Virat Kohli became India’s captain in 2017 after MS Dhoni left the role.
Kohli had already been the team’s captain in Test matches.
His leadership style was different from Dhoni’s.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar said players needed time to understand Kohli.
Kohli talked about eating well and training carefully.
Some players initially wondered why those things mattered.
Later, the players followed the same approach.
Kohli also showed the team by following those habits himself.
Virat Kohli became India’s captain in 2017 after MS Dhoni stepped down.
Kohli was already leading India in Test cricket before becoming captain across formats.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar said players needed several series to understand Kohli’s different leadership style.
Some players initially questioned the relevance of Kohli’s emphasis on diet and training.
The team eventually aligned with Kohli’s approach after he demonstrated those habits himself.
- Who
- Virat Kohli became captain, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar described the transition from MS Dhoni’s leadership.
- What
- Kohli introduced a different leadership approach that emphasized diet and training, and the team gradually adapted.
- When
- The captaincy transition took place in 2017; Kohli’s approach was discussed after he took over in Australia.
- Where
- The transition involved the Indian cricket team, with Kohli taking over in Australia.
- Why
- Players needed time to adjust from Dhoni’s leadership style to Kohli’s different expectations and methods.
- Captaincy change
- MS Dhoni stepped down as India’s captain in 2017, and Virat Kohli took over.
- Previous leadership
- Kohli was already India’s red-ball captain before becoming captain across formats.
- Transition period
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar said it took a few series for players to understand Kohli’s thinking and intent.
- Kohli’s emphasis
- Kohli spoke about diet and training after taking over in Australia.
- Initial reaction
- Some players initially questioned how diet and training were relevant.
- Team response
- The players eventually aligned with Kohli’s approach.
- Leadership example
- Kohli supported his message by following the practices himself.