ICC World Cup 2019: The "Dhoni-Kohli" show key for India's chances

In just a few a months from now will start the most prestigious tournament in the cricketing history, the ICC World Cup 2019 at the home of cricket ‘England’. The marquee event will bring together over 100 exceptional players showcasing their cricketing talent to win the renowned trophy. Amid some great cricket legends, over a billion pair of eyes will be glued to watch one spectacle, ‘The Dhoni-Kohli’ show.

It does not happen very often that you have two legends of the game playing together in the same era and hence, the joy of seeing them together is purely incomparable. What every Indian fan truly enjoys, more than anything else is the great camaraderie they both share with each other. At no stage, there has ever been a single rumor detrimental to their harmonious relationship.

Just a few years back, it was MS Dhoni that captained Virat Kohli and today, it is the other way around. The very moment, he felt that the time was right; he happily passed on the responsibility to Virat and without any concern, accepted to continue his cricketing journey under Virat's leadership. Some cricket pundits believed that Virat will experience a lot of difficulties to manage the legend, MS Dhoni, but instead, Dhoni very quietly moved away from the limelight and gave his every piece of knowledge and expertise to allow Virat’s era to take over, just like an elder brother.

MS Dhoni will be playing his last World Cup for India in England

In most likelihood, the ICC World Cup 2019 will be the last assignment for the very respected and loved Indian cricketer, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He proudly captained the Indian cricket team for almost a decade (2007-2016) and won every ICC tournament along the way, the inaugural T20 World Cup 2007, ICC World Cup 2011, ICC Champions Trophy 2013. Along the way, with his hard-hitting skills and calm persona, he emerged as the best finisher of the game, the cricketing world has ever seen.

Today, he may not be the same fine striker of the ball but his game awareness and street smartness set him apart than anyone in the world. After serving for over 15 years, the legend will soon bid adieu to the wonderful game of cricket. As always, Indian cricket will move forward, however, no one can ever replicate the same magic, much like other cricketing legends Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, and Sachin Tendulkar.

On the other hand, though Virat Kohli appeared to have accomplished everything already, in reality, the player has not even started yet. At 30, he is at the peak of his powers and has long promising career ahead. Unquestionably, we are yet to see the best of him. By the look of things, he will surpass almost every record in the book of cricket by the end of his fulfilling career.

MSD Dhoni and Virat Kohli together winning the game for India

Together, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli transform into a very lethal combination. One has the experience and other has the energy. One has an exceedingly calm persona and other has an extremely aggressive intent. One builds the inning and the other tears the opponents apart. One sets up the stage from the front and the other finishes the game at the end. One guides the spinners from behind the stump and the other encourages the pacers from the front. One is often considered measurable and the other is highly regarded as a risk-taker. They together build the best cricketing partnership ever. On this very occasion, unlike any other team, Team India will step on the field not just with one but with two virtual captains, complementing each other.

Needless to say, it will be a delight to watch both playing together for one of the very last times on the international scene. Winning this event will not only fulfill Virat's 11-year-old dream but also, just like what MS Dhoni did for the legend Sachin Tendulkar at ICC World Cup 2011, it will allow Dhoni to have a deserving farewell.