Former Indian head coach Sanjay Bangar has revealed that MS Dhoni mostly wanted to stay in his hotel room whereas Virat Kohli wanted to go out and explore new places. Bangar observed both Dhoni and Kohli from close quarters when he was the team’s batting coach.

It is often said that Dhoni’s hotel room used to be always open for his players and he got the best out of his team. Similarly, Kohli also led India with aplomb in all three formats of the game.

“I don’t think they have spent much time off the field because MS Dhoni likes being in his room only. Although he always had an open door, anyone could go to his room and talk, it wasn’t possible for him to go out and spend time because people wanted his attention,” the former India all-rounder responded.

“Whenever such opportunities were available, he didn’t like going out, but Virat Kohli was somebody who always wanted to go out, go to new places or new restaurants. So I have rarely seen them spending time off the field,” he added.

Meanwhile, MS Dhoni played a key role in guiding Virat Kohli as a leader. Bangar recalled that Dhoni was Kohli’s first captain at the top stage and got the best out of the batter.

“The biggest thing is that he was his first captain. When a young player comes, a captain has to first do a little hand-holding. When a new player comes, he needs to be made a little secure. Either the coaches or the captain does those talks,” he replied.

Bangar said Kohli and Dhoni were able to develop a mutual-respect relationship with each other.

“Secondly, if a player fails, can he create extra opportunities for him? MS Dhoni did that extremely well in Virat Kohli’s career in the initial phases. Once they realized each other’s importance, it became a mutual-respect relationship. I wouldn’t say they have a relationship of friends, but they have mutual respect for each other,” Bangar observed.

Kohli will be seen in action in the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies.