5 Players who got backing from Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli’s leadership has always been more than tactics and runs. He’s also been outspoken in defending teammates, giving young players room to grow and publicly backing established names when the heat is on. That kind of vocal support changes careers. It shapes selection conversations, soothes public pressure, and gives players the psychological licence to play freely. Here are five cricketers who’ve been clearly backed by Kohli and why his support mattered.

1. Mohammed Shami 

When Mohammed Shami was targeted on social media after a high-profile loss, Kohli didn’t stay silent. He publicly rebuked the abuse and defended Shami’s integrity and role in the team, saying attacks on a player’s faith or person were “the lowest level of human behaviour.” 

That intervention wasn’t just words; it signalled to teammates and fans that the captain had his bowler’s back, helping Shami reset mentally and focus on bowling. Kohli’s visible defence in that episode is one of several moments where he put team unity ahead of headlines. Prior to that, during his Test tenure as a captain, Kohli built a whole pace attack and backed everyone in their efforts.

2. Hardik Pandya 

Hardik’s path from all-round talent to a frontline match-winner hasn’t been linear, and there have been rough patches in public perception. Kohli has repeatedly stepped in when crowds or critics grew loud. He always believed the match-winner Pandya could grow to be in the future and persistent chances to him ultimately saw him being that. 

These kinds of on-field and off-field gestures matter. It reduces noise, protects a player’s confidence and lets him concentrate on form rather than backlash. Kohli’s support has helped Hardik re-establish himself as a white-ball force.

3. KL Rahul 

Kohli’s backing of KL Rahul has been tactical as well as personal. When Rahul shifted roles between keeper, opener and middle order, Kohli publicly praised his temperament and encouraged game plans that used Rahul’s strengths, even signalling he’d keep faith with Rahul through adjustments. 

Kohli’s visible trust with post-match praises, in-game guidance and role protection has helped Rahul expand his game and deal with the inconsistency that comes from constant role changes. That leadership nudge from the captain often translates into selection security and clearer responsibilities at the top level. 

4. MS Dhoni 

Backing isn’t only top-down. Kohli has often publicly defended MS Dhoni during periods of criticism, saying it’s unfair to single out a veteran who continues to pass fitness tests and contribute in his role. 

Those moments are notable because Dhoni was the captain who famously backed Kohli early in his career. Kohli’s public support is both professional respect and reciprocal loyalty. In an environment where experience can be publicly second-guessed, Kohli’s standing up for Dhoni signalled that leadership respect survives changing roles and headlines.

5. Rohit Sharma (Tests) 

The move to try Rohit as a Test opener was not a knee-jerk call. Kohli said the idea had been discussed for a long time and publicly backed experimenting with Rohit’s role in Tests when the time was right. That kind of captain-level advocacy matters because it gives selectors and coaches political cover to make big calls. 

Kohli’s support for Rohit’s Test opening experiments helped create the conditions for Rohit to find success (and failure) in a new role without the immediate weight of public panic, an important buffer for any player adjusting formats. The world witnessed what came later as Rohit grew to be one of the best openers while he played.

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