India’s 2014-15 Test series in Australia was more than just cricket; it was the crossroads of Indian sports. It marked the end of MS Dhoni’s reign in whites and the dawn of a fiery new era for Virat Kohli. As one captain quietly stepped down, another emerged to redefine aggression and ambition in Indian cricket.
But away from the spotlight and camera lenses, there was a different kind of leadership on display—one that took place in the locker room, not on the field. After India’s four-wicket defeat in Brisbane, whispers began: a heated exchange between Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan was said to have disrupted the team’s harmony. Dhawan’s last-minute injury withdrawal on Day 4 reportedly kept Kohli from paying attention to the bat, and as India slipped to a 2-0 deficit, rumors of a rift dominated the headlines.
Amidst the chaos, it was Dhoni who quietly took command – not with runs or catches, but with composure. As Dhawan later recounted in his book Shikhar Dhawan—The One, co-authored with Chandresh Narayanan and Namita Kala, it was Dhoni’s calm diplomacy that calmed tempers and restored confidence. At that moment, the Indian skipper was not just saving the series; he maintained relationships that would shape the future of Indian cricket.
“Before Dhoni Bhai bowed out of the Test phase, he did a good job of silencing the rumors of a fallout between Virat and me during the second Test in Brisbane. I injured my hand and had to withdraw. Virat came in and continued the innings. But about the supposed spat over this alleged phone call that I mentioned at the last minute, Dhawan was wide open,” Dhawan.
RESCUE LAW
Dhoni was called Captain Cool for a reason and this was another example of his composure under pressure. When rumors of a rift between Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan did the rounds on social media, Dhoni stepped in to protect his teammates.
He didn’t react with anger or denial; instead, he used his signature wit and subtle sarcasm at the press conference — firm enough to silence critics but calm enough to restore balance. Dhawan later revealed how gracefully Dhoni handled the situation and stood by Kohli and the team when speculation threatened to spiral.
“When the question was put to Dhoni Bhai during a press conference, he sarcastically commented, ‘Whoever gave this information deserves to write for a Marvel or Warner Bros superhero movie!’ Just that one sentence, however, was enough to put the rumors to rest,” Dhawan wrote.
Reflecting on this phase, Dhawan – who retired from international cricket last year – said he had learned to guard his peace of mind and decided not to let negative comments or media noise affect his focus.
“Writing a story is a journalist’s job, so I didn’t bother with that. Sometimes commentators also make unpleasant remarks about a player or his abilities, but I have made it a point in my cricketing career not to take such things to heart,” added Dhawan.
SILENT MERGER
Dhoni’s exit from Test cricket was as quiet as the man himself. When he walked out of the MCG after the India series loss in December 2014, no one – not even his closest teammates – had any idea what was in store. There was no farewell speech, no grand announcement. It was only later that evening, through a brief BCCI press release, that the cricketing world came to know MS Dhoni bid farewell to Test cricket.
Shikhar Dhawan looked back and reflected on how perfectly Dhoni had timed his decision – knowing exactly when to hand over the baton of captaincy to Virat Kohli. The revelation, Dhawan said, left the dressing room heavy with emotion. For the players, it was not just the end of a chapter, but a farewell to a leader who defined calm, control and quiet strength in Indian cricket.
“We had no idea that Dhoni Bhai would make such a big decision so soon. The only indication was Duncan’s (Fletcher) face when the Test ended; he looked a little shaken. Everyone in the team was surprised by his announcement, but I think he knew in his heart that it was time to hand over the Test baton to Virat,” Dhawan wrote.
“The moment the news broke, I gave Dhoni a big hug. I praised him for his great career. I was a happy, happy person at that stage in my life – not that that part of my personality has changed over the years. The truth is, I loved living the moment to the fullest. There were some players who got a bit emotional about the news when everyone heard it.”
DHAWAN SPINE
When Dhoni said goodbye to Test cricket, Shikhar Dhawan was just four years into his international journey – a flamboyant opener whose fearless strokeplay made him a natural fit across all three formats. His arrival was spectacular: he scored a blistering 187 on his Test debut against Australia in Mohali, setting the tone for a career defined by flair and aggression.
Yet it was in ODIs where Dhawan really flourished and became India’s run machine on the world stage, especially in ICC tournaments where his big-match temperament shone brightest.
Dhawan’s international run lasted till the end of 2022 before the emergence of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill signaled a new era and quietly closed a chapter in his Indian career. Yet his 12-year journey remains one of consistency and charm – a career born under the watchful eye of MS Dhoni, the captain himself who handed him his India debut in 2010.
In many ways, Dhoni’s faith helped mold Dhawan into one of the most prolific and entertaining openers of his generation in India.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
November 9, 2025
