Red Ball Best Captain Is Virat Kohli And White Ball Is MS Dhoni, Says Former India Spinner

Mumbai, November 12, 2024: Former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has named Virat Kohli as the best Test captain and MS Dhoni as the best captain in white-ball formats. The cricketer-turned-commentator expressed his views on the matter while speaking on Sony Sport's Tamil Cricket Podcast - Cricket Petta.

Sivaramakrishnan lauded Kohli for his attacking attitude, which is reminiscent of great players like Vivian Richards. He praised Kohli's ability to intimidate bowlers with his emotive expression and gameplay, setting him apart from modern-day captains who are often perceived as calm and composed.

"Kohli's attacking attitude is something that he himself enjoys and celebrates," Sivaramakrishnan said. "You should show your emotions. You shouldn't be like a machine on the ground. You should have an attitude like Sir Vivian Richards who would intimidate bowlers with his eyes."

In contrast, Sivaramakrishnan admired Dhoni's calm demeanour, which allowed him to make tactical decisions effectively in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20 Is). The former spinner praised Dhoni's record of 55 per cent win percentage in ODIs, surpassing the mark set by Mohammad Azharuddin.

Sivaramakrishnan also shared his own experiences playing under different captains during his playing days. He lauded Sunil Gavaskar as the best captain of his time, praising his strategic approach and analytical mind. In contrast, he remembered Kapil Dev as an instinctive leader who relied on his gut instincts to make decisions.

"With Sunil Gavaskar, you can ask for anything but you have to justify it," Sivaramakrishnan said. "If you do that he will give you the freedom to set your fields and plan your attack. Venkataraghavan was also an excellent captain - wonderful as a leader."

Sivaramakrishnan's comments provide an interesting insight into the evolution of captains in different formats and highlight the qualities that make each of them exceptional in their respective roles.

(Reporting by [Your Name] for Alayaran.com)