"MS Dhoni doesn't talk to his players"- Harbhajan Singh spits venom

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has been named the better captain among MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. He played a lot of cricket under both Dhoni and Rohit for India and in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well.

Harbhajan represented both Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) under Dhoni and Rohit’s captaincy in the IPL. Dhoni and Rohit are both two of the greatest captains Indian cricket has ever witnessed.

With Dhoni’s iconic leadership guiding India to three ICC trophies—T20 World Cup 2007, ODI World Cup 2011, and Champions Trophy 2013—Rohit led the Men in Blue to the T20 World Cup 2024 title.

Harbhajan Singh hails Rohit Sharma as the better captain than MS Dhoni

Apart from the ICC glory, they are also the joint-most successful captains in the IPL, having won five titles for the CSK and MI. Well, Harbhajan stunned the cricket world by naming Rohit as a better captain than the charismatic leader Dhoni.

The former World Cup winner described Rohit as more relatable and approachable to his teammates, and these qualities set him apart from Dhoni. He said that the team connects with him more than Dhoni.

Harbhajan mentioned that Rohit’s ability to engage with his players, understand their strategies, and instill confidence makes him a “people’s captain,” and that’s where the current captain is ahead of the legendary wicketkeeper-batter.

On the other hand, Harbhajan highlighted the unique approach of Dhoni, whose captaincy was defined by a calm and often silent demeanor. Dhoni, known for his ability to lead through instinct and his patience, often left his players to learn from their mistakes without intervention.

Rohit is ahead of Dhoni because the former is the people’s captain: Harbhajan Singh

The former spinner said that MS Dhoni used to avoid talking to anyone, as he conveyed his thoughts to the players through his silence, and it was his style of communicating with teammates.

Well, Rohit Sharma's interactive approach, fostering communication and trust, is sharply different from Dhoni’s hands-off style, which empowered his players through his confidence.

Harbhajan Singh said on Sports Yaari: “Rohit is ahead of Dhoni because the former is the people’s captain. He goes up to the players to know about their plans. His teammates are able to connect with him. But Dhoni was different. He didn’t talk to anyone. Dhoni conveyed his thoughts to the players through his silence. It was his style of communicating with teammates.”

Rohit Sharma is a better captain than MS Dhoni says Harbhajan Singh

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MS Dhoni will never ask a player what field he wants: Harbhajan Singh

Earlier, speaking with former India U-19 batter Taruwar Kohli, the legendary spinner said the same thing. Harbhajan Singh recalled an instance where Dhoni refused to advise Shardul Thakur mid-match, choosing instead to let the bowler learn on his own.

Harbhajan had said, “Dhoni and Rohit are different leaders. MS Dhoni will never ask a player what field he wants. He will let him learn from his mistakes. I was playing for the Chennai Super Kings. Dhoni had placed me at the short, fine leg. Shardul Thakur was bowling, and Kane Williamson hit him for two boundaries.

I urged Dhoni to tell Shardul to change his length. Dhoni refused and said that let Shardul learn from his mistake. Rohit is very different. He has a habit of talking to players about his plans and what he wants from the players. He will give you confidence.”