Harbhajan Singh shares a unique story about MS Dhoni and Shardul Thakur, “Maar khayega to khud sikhega.”

MS Dhoni, the former captain of India, is without a doubt one of the best captains to lead the national squad. Dhoni captained India to three championships between 2007 and 2013: the 2011 ODI World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy, and the 2007 T20 World Cup. Virat Kohli assumed the captaincy after Dhoni relinquished it, and Rohit Sharma came next.

India was led by Rohit to the ODI World Cup final in 2023 and to victory in the Barbados T20 World Cup in 2024. Though comparisons between Dhoni and Rohit are inevitable, both players have distinguished themselves as exceptional captains.

According to former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh, Dhoni and Rohit have quite distinct styles of captaincy.

Speaking of Dhoni, Harbhajan related an instance in which Dhoni let Shardul Thakur to grow from his mistakes despite Thakur being struck by Kane Williamson with the same shot.

“I recall a game where MS Dhoni was keeping and I was fielding at the short fine leg. As Shardul Thakur was bowling, Kane Williamson smashed him for a boundary with the opening ball of the bowl. Williamson played the identical shot on the next ball of the same length.

I went to MS and requested that he advise Shardul to attempt bowling in a different way. “Paji,” MS said to me I can’t teach him now, or else he won’t learn. Let him discover on his own. Maar khayega to khud sikhega was his way of thinking ( he will leran if he gets hit). According to Harbhajan, “Just like a kid grows up,” on the podcast “Find a Way with Taruwar Kohli.”

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In addition, Harbhajan discussed Rohit and expressed the opinion that he is the type of captain that often communicates with his players on the pitch, outlining his expectations of them. “Rohit is not like the others. He is going to see each player. When he tells you what he expects from you, he will put his arm around your shoulder. You’ll have the confidence from him that you can succeed “explained Harbhajan.