Virat Kohli has expressed his anticipation and excitement about playing alongside MS Dhoni in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The match is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 18, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Kohli remarked that this game might be the last time he gets to play with Dhoni, reflecting on their long association over the past 16 years.
The last time Kohli and Dhoni shared the field in international cricket was during the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, led by Kane Williamson, at Old Trafford in Manchester. Kohli, who is 35 years old, has always been vocal about his admiration for Dhoni, and the two have maintained a strong camaraderie over the years.
In an interview on Jio Cinema, Kohli shared his thoughts on the significance of this upcoming match. “For fans to see him (Dhoni) play in any stadium in India is a big thing. Me and him playing again, maybe for the last time, you never know – that is a special thing,” Kohli said. He added, “We have had some great memories, some great partnerships for India. It’s a great occasion for fans to see us together.”
Both RCB and CSK are currently vying for a spot in the playoffs. RCB, in particular, faces a crucial challenge as they need to beat Chennai by 18 runs or chase a target with 11 balls to spare to secure a position in the top four.
Kohli also touched upon dealing with criticism and shared his perspective on Dhoni’s unique approach to winning matches. “People used to say the same about Mahi bhai (Mahendra Singh Dhoni). ‘Why is he taking the game to the 20th over or the 50th over.’ But how many matches did he finish for India!” Kohli commented. He emphasized Dhoni’s game sense and finishing ability, saying, “He’s probably the only person who knows what he’s doing! And he’s finishing the game from there. For me, that’s muscle memory. He knows if he takes the match till the last over, he’ll win the game.”
Kohli himself is having a stellar season, currently holding the Orange Cap for being the top run-scorer in the league. He has accumulated 661 runs from 13 games at an impressive average of 66.10 and a strike rate of 155.16, including five fifties and a century.
As the highly anticipated match approaches, fans are eagerly looking forward to witnessing two of cricket’s legends, Kohli and Dhoni, share the field once more, potentially for the last time.
