But after a hectic and extremely rewarding year, Dhoni gets a well-deserved break. Virat Kohli, one of the best candidates to lead Indian cricket in future, takes over for the Zimbabwe tour.
Kohli has all the making of a successful captain. Like Dhoni, he believes in leading from the front by scoring runs when the team requires. He is also there for the players, when they do well and reprimanding them when they falter.
Attitude-wise Kohli is similar to Dhoni. The only thing that separates them is their on-field demeanour. Dhoni never shows his emotions, while Kohli is the exact opposite.
Experts have gone to the extent of suggesting that Kohli's aggression is totally uncalled for and he would set a dire example if given the captaincy.
But Kohli's assistant coach at the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Venkatesh Prasad, feels he is a quick learner and will sooner than later get his act right.
"A lot has been made out of his aggressive intent. But he is a good learner and a listener too. I am sure he will improve with time. Virat does allow his emotions get the better of him at times. I am sure even he is aware of it and will sort the issue sooner than later," the former seamer says.
Kohli's coach, Raj Kumar Sharma, though, has a different perspective: "Right from Day One, he has been aggressive. In fact, it is his strength. And I don't want him to compromise on that. But I would certainly like him to conceal his aggressive intent. I don't want it to show on his face while on the field."
Both Prasad and Sharma feel he has the ability to lead the side. "He loves challenges and did a pretty good job leading RCB. I am confident about his leadership qualities. Virat is very much like MS, he is instinctive. I am confident he will lead the team well," Prasad observes.
"Virat has been a special talent with great leadership qualities. He has done well when he led Delhi or even the under-19 teams. I did not follow the IPL much but I thought he was good in the few matches that I actually managed to see," says Sharma.
Under Kohli, India won all the six games in the Under-19 World Cup at Kuala Lumpur in 2007.
"He should use this tour as a platform to enhance his leadership skills. Dhoni is India's best captain and I want Virat to learn from Dhoni and study him very closely. If he does all that, he will surely be a successful leader," adds Sharma.
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