Watch: Umar Akmal recounts MS Dhoni's decision to oppose team management in defense of struggling Virat Kohli

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Umar Akmal has shared an unheard story featuring former Indian captains MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli from Pakistan’s tour of India back in 2013.

Akmal recalled the time when legendary Dhoni went against the Duncan Fletcher-led Indian cricket team management for Kohli after the star batter retired from T20I cricket on June 29.

Akmal shared an intriguing anecdote during a recent appearance on a Pakistani TV show when he was dining with Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Shoaib Malik, and Yuvraj Singh.

Umar Akmal reveals MS Dhoni's gesture for Virat Kohli during tough times

The Pakistani star revealed that he was always curious to know their post-retirement plans and used to ask them about them during their conversations. He recalled how Kohli was facing a rough patch in his career, struggling with form, during Pakistan’s tour of India in 2013.

Akmal described how an unexpected situation unfolded when the Indian cricket team manager visited Dhoni's room with a suggestion: drop Virat from the last ODI. Akmal noticed Dhoni's calm demeanor as he was listening to the manager's request. Dhoni's response was unexpected yet fitting of his leadership style.

He further revealed Dhoni’s response to the manager, which would yet again win the hearts of billions. Dhoni told him that he had been away from home for six months, so Raina could handle the captaincy and asked him to arrange two tickets for him and Kohli to return home, highlighting the legendary Indian captain’s unwavering support for his teammates.

Umar Akmal spills the beans on 2013 India tour incident involving MS Dhoni-Virat Kohli

Umar Akmal said on a Pakistani TV show: “Honestly, I was sitting with MS Dhoni, having dinner with him. Suresh Rain, Shoaib Malik, and Yuvraj Singh were also there. So, I used to ask them, When you retire, guys, what will you do? At that time, we were on a tour of India in 2013.

We had a successful tour, and Virat was going through a tough time at that time. So, the Indian team manager came to Dhoni's room. He said, ‘Don't let Virat play in the last ODI’. So, I was very worried. So, I saw Dhoni's face. Mahi Bhai said, ‘Okay. I haven't gone home for six months. Raina will take care of the captaincy. Get us two tickets, Virat, and I will go back to home’.”

When Akmal asked Dhoni about his decision, the former Indian captain explained that a few bad games shouldn't lead to dropping a player of Virat's caliber. This incident highlights Dhoni's commitment to his team and his belief in backing players during tough times, showing why he was respected not just as a captain but also as a mentor and leader.

Akmal further noted, “Believe me, I kept looking at his face while we were having dinner. So, the manager was like, ‘No, no, you do whatever you want’. So, I asked him, Mahi Bhai, why did you give such an answer? So, he said, ‘Virat is the best player. If he has had a tough time in 3–4 matches, that doesn’t mean we drop him?’”

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I was having dinner with MS Dhoni & manager came & told him to drop Virat Kohli but Dhoni said I will also not play the game, when I asked him he said I can’t drop players like Kohli for 1 2 bad performances.

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Notably, Kohli recently announced his retirement from T20I cricket after winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados. He played a match-winning knock of 76 runs in the final against South Africa and won his last Player of the Match award in the format.