Harmanpreet Kaur picks her favourite men’s cricketer between MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli

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Harmanpreet Kaur, the World Cup-winning Indian captain, has revealed her favourite men’s cricketer between two Indian cricket legends, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.

The declaration came during an interaction with students at Velammal Nexus School, where she expressed her admiration for Dhoni’s calm leadership and legendary status in Indian cricket.

Kaur’s choice of Dhoni over Kohli was met with enthusiastic cheers from the audience. She highlighted Dhoni’s invaluable contributions to Indian cricket, noting that he is a “legend” and one of the rare captains to have won all ICC trophies during his playing days. This admiration stems from Dhoni’s calm and composed captaincy style, which many, including Harmanpreet, consider a benchmark in Indian cricket leadership.

When asked to compare Kohli and Dhoni, Harmanpreet described Kohli as a source of immense “energy” and passion on the field, contrasting with Dhoni’s cool and composed demeanor. While Kohli is celebrated for his aggressive captaincy and batting brilliance, Dhoni’s leadership is often praised for his calm decision-making under pressure, thus highlighting the differing but equally effective styles of two Indian greats.

Harmanpreet also reflected on her own cricketing journey, recently leading India to their maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2025. She acknowledged the inspiration she draws from senior cricketers, naming former India opener Virender Sehwag among her biggest influences. Emphasizing hard work and dedication for the younger generation, she urged aspiring cricketers, particularly young girls, to follow their dreams with commitment.

Speaking at the event, Harmanpreet also explained how people look at women’s cricket now.

“It is good to see that now people only talk about cricket without comparing (men’s and women’s cricket),” said Harmanpreet. “Now everyone enjoys and the viewership is high, stadiums are full, it is a proud moment.”

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Dhoni’s influence on Indian cricket transcends his statistics, with his calmness and strategic acumen leaving a lasting impact. Harmanpreet noted how Dhoni’s success on the world stage – including the 2011 ICC World Cup and other major tournaments – served as a guiding light for many players across genders. This recognition reflects the deep respect he commands even among current players who continue to build on the foundations he laid.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.