'You will always be my captain': Virat Kohli shares emotional message for MS Dhoni
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'Very few people understand the meaning of trust and respect and I'm glad to have had the friendship I have with you for so many years,' said Kohli
India skipper Virat Kohli has shared an emotional message for wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni's 38th birthday, saying that he will always be his captain.
After India's seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their last league stage match of Cricket World Cup 2019, Dhoni celebrated his birthday with wife Sakshi, four-year-old daughter Ziva and with some of the members of India cricket team.
Along with cricket fraternity, fans and followers flooded the social forums with wishes and greetings. Among others, Kohli also wished the World Cup-winning captain, a happy birthday.
"Happy birthday mahi bhai @msdhoni. Very few people understand the meaning of trust and respect and I'm glad to have had the friendship I have with you for so many years. You've been a big brother to all of us and as I said before, you will always be my captain," Kohli tweeted.
In pics: A look back at seven match-winning knocks by Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Happy birthday mahi bhai @msdhoni. Very few people understand the meaning of trust and respect and I'm glad to have had the friendship I have with you for so many years. You've been a big brother to all of us and as I said before, you will always be my captain 🙂 pic.twitter.com/Wxsf5fvH2m
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) July 7, 2019
Dhoni is the most experienced player in the current Indian squad and plays a vital role in the team.
Ahead of the tournament, on Dhoni's presence in the team, coach Ravi Shastri had said, "He has a massive role."
"There is no one better than him in this format especially in those little moments which can change the game. He will be a big player in this World Cup. His communication with Virat has been fantastic," Shastri had added.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video of Dhoni cutting the cake in the presence of his wife, daughter and team members.
Wish you a happy birthday @msdhoni! Have a great year.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 7, 2019
All the very best for the next two games 👍 pic.twitter.com/d8STlRh9e9
Former India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar also wished Dhoni on the occasion and wrote: "Wish you a happy birthday @msdhoni! Have a great year. All the very best for the next two games."
Whereas Rohit Sharma posted a picture with Dhoni captioning it as: "Arey bhai cake kidhar hai ? Best wishes on your birthday @msdhoni."
India atop the points table in the ongoing World Cup and will face fourth-positioned New Zealand in the semi-final on July 9.