Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Umar Akmal has shared an unheard story that includes former Indian captains MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli from Pakistan’s tour of India again in 2013.
Akmal recalled the time when legendary Dhoni went towards the Duncan Fletcher-led Indian cricket workforce administration for Kohli after the star batter retired from T20I cricket on June 29.
Akmal shared an intriguing anecdote throughout a latest look on a Pakistani TV present when he was eating with Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Shoaib Malik, and Yuvraj Singh.
Umar Akmal reveals MS Dhoni’s gesture for Virat Kohli throughout robust occasions
The Pakistani star revealed that he was at all times curious to know their post-retirement plans and used to ask them about them throughout their conversations. He recalled how Kohli was going through a tough patch in his profession, combating type, throughout Pakistan’s tour of India in 2013.
Akmal described how an surprising state of affairs unfolded when the Indian cricket workforce supervisor visited Dhoni’s room with a suggestion: drop Virat from the final ODI. Akmal seen Dhoni’s calm demeanor as he was listening to the supervisor’s request. Dhoni’s response was surprising but becoming of his management type.
He additional revealed Dhoni’s response to the supervisor, which might but once more win the hearts of billions. Dhoni informed him that he had been away from dwelling for six months, so Raina might deal with the captaincy and requested him to rearrange two tickets for him and Kohli to return dwelling, highlighting the legendary Indian captain’s unwavering help for his teammates.
Umar Akmal spills the beans on 2013 India tour incident involving MS Dhoni-Virat Kohli
Umar Akmal mentioned on a Pakistani TV present: “Actually, I used to be sitting with MS Dhoni, having dinner with him. Suresh Rain, Shoaib Malik, and Yuvraj Singh had been additionally there. So, I used to ask them, Whenever you retire, guys, what’s going to you do? At the moment, we had been on a tour of India in 2013.
We had a profitable tour, and Virat was going via a tricky time at the moment. So, the Indian workforce supervisor got here to Dhoni’s room. He mentioned, ‘Do not let Virat play within the final ODI’. So, I used to be very fearful. So, I noticed Dhoni’s face. Mahi Bhai mentioned, ‘Okay. I have not gone dwelling for six months. Raina will deal with the captaincy. Get us two tickets, Virat, and I’ll return to dwelling’.”
When Akmal requested Dhoni about his resolution, the previous Indian captain defined that a number of unhealthy video games should not result in dropping a participant of Virat’s caliber. This incident highlights Dhoni’s dedication to his workforce and his perception in backing gamers throughout robust occasions, exhibiting why he was revered not simply as a captain but in addition as a mentor and chief.
Akmal additional famous, “Consider me, I saved taking a look at his face whereas we had been having dinner. So, the supervisor was like, ‘No, no, you do no matter you need’. So, I requested him, Mahi Bhai, why did you give such a solution? So, he mentioned, ‘Virat is the perfect participant. If he has had a tricky time in 3–4 matches, that doesn’t imply we drop him?’”
Watch Right here:
I used to be having dinner with MS Dhoni & supervisor got here & informed him to drop Virat Kohli however Dhoni mentioned I can even not play the sport, after I requested him he mentioned I can’t drop gamers like Kohli for 1 2 unhealthy performances.
Umar Akmal pic.twitter.com/hXkJlzdzHn
— Abu Bakar Tarar (@abubakartarar_) June 30, 2024
Notably, Kohli lately introduced his retirement from T20I cricket after successful the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados. He performed a match-winning knock of 76 runs within the closing towards South Africa and received his final Participant of the Match award within the format.