“MS Dhoni will never go to a player and will ask him what field you want. He will let you learn from your mistakes,” he said.

Harbhajan recollects an incident from Indian Premier League (IPL), when he was playing under MS Dhoni at the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

“I remember a game where I was fielding at the short fine leg and MS Dhoni was keeping. Shardul Thakur was bowling and the first ball Kane Williamson hit him down the ground for a boundary. Next ball, same length and Williamson played the same shot. I went to MS and asked him to tell Shardul try and bowl different length. MS said to me ‘Paji If I will tell him now, then he will never learn. Let him learn by himself.’ His thought process was that when Shardul will get hit for boundaries, he will learn it quickly. That was MS Dhoni’s way,” recollected Harbhajan.

MS Dhoni, former captain of Chennai Super Kings. (File Photo)

On Rohit, the former India spinner said: “Rohit is very different. He will go and talk to each player. He is someone who will put his arm around your shoulder and tell you what he wants from you. He will give you that confidence that yes you can do it.”

Harbhajan also pointed out how leading India in Test cricket has made Rohit Sharma a better captain.

“The biggest change that has came in Rohit is when he started captaining in Test cricket. As a Test captain, you learn a lot. In T20s there are many moments that you overlook but in Test cricket you can’t do that. In Test cricket, the captain runs everything. His tactics, his executions are very crucial to win a Test match, that makes you an excellent leader. Steve Waugh’s name comes to my mind immediately because he was so good. If you are doing well as a captain in Test cricket, then leading in the T20Is and ODIs becomes easier,” said Harbhajan.

Dharamsala: India’s Rohit Sharma celebrates his century during the second day of the fifth Test cricket match between India and England, in Dharamsala, Friday, March 8, 2024. (PTI Photo/Shahbaz Khan)

Taruwar Kohli, who played for Rajasthan Royals, compared Rohit Sharma’s leadership skills to the late Shane Warne.

“Shane Warne was like Rohit bhai. In the warm-up, he used to come to every individual and used to explain everyone’s role,” said Tarwuar.

Harbhajan reminisced his early playing days under Sourav Ganguly and what made Ganguly an excellent leader.

“As a player you want better support from your captain. It’s all about man management. Sourav Ganguly was probably the best in that. He gave us that freedom that go and enjoy.

“We all were different people. I am different than Rahul Dravid. Zaheer Khan is different to me. Ashish Nehra is different. He let everyone be themselves without trying to change their personalities. That’s how he got the best out from all of us. MS Dhoni carried forward that legacy from Sourav and then Rohit took it forward. I hope in the future whoever will become Team India’s captain he will do the same,” he said.