The ongoing IPL 2025 season has witnessed a notable shift in player behavior, with several players making selfless acts for the team’s greater good. Shreyas Iyer’s act of selflessness, in particular, has caught the attention of cricket fans and critics alike. However, his act has also sparked criticism of the two iconic figures of Indian cricket, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Despite their illustrious careers and immense contributions to the sport, both Dhoni and Kohli have found themselves under scrutiny after Iyer’s actions, a development that has left many questioning the contrasting approaches of different generations of cricketers in India.
Shreyas Iyer’s Selfless Act in IPL 2025
To understand the criticism faced by MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, it’s crucial to first highlight the selfless act performed by Shreyas Iyer. During a crucial match in the IPL 2025, Iyer, playing for his franchise, displayed exceptional sportsmanship and team-first mentality. In a key moment of the game, Iyer decided to relinquish his position in the batting order to allow a struggling teammate to come in and take a few balls. This gesture came during a tense chase, where the team needed an experienced player to stabilize the innings.
What stood out was not just the selflessness, but the emotional intelligence that came with the decision. Iyer recognized the psychological toll the situation was having on his teammate, who had been in poor form and under immense pressure. By putting the team above his own personal goals, he showcased leadership qualities that go beyond just scoring runs or taking wickets. The act was a rare but heartening example of a cricketer prioritizing team success over individual accolades.
The Backlash Against Dhoni and Kohli
While Iyer’s act was praised by many, it inadvertently brought attention to the contrasting approaches of other leaders in Indian cricket, particularly MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Both of these cricketers are celebrated for their success and leadership but have been criticized for being more focused on personal milestones than team-first mentality, especially in recent IPL seasons.
1. MS Dhoni’s Leadership Style:
MS Dhoni has been one of the most successful captains in IPL history, known for his cool-headedness and tactical acumen. However, as he has entered the twilight of his career, there has been growing concern about his reluctance to step aside for younger talent or to alter his batting order for the benefit of the team.
During IPL 2025, Dhoni continued to bat lower down the order, often coming in at the tail end of the innings. Critics argue that this behavior signals an obsession with maintaining his image rather than adapting to the evolving needs of the team. While Dhoni’s calm and composed nature has been invaluable, his reluctance to show flexibility—like Iyer did—has led to some questioning whether his leadership has become more about maintaining his personal legacy rather than putting the team first.
Moreover, Dhoni’s decision-making in certain crunch moments, such as backing players who are underperforming instead of giving younger talents a chance, has raised eyebrows. This has led to some IPL viewers and analysts suggesting that while Dhoni’s leadership was revolutionary in his prime, the game has evolved and so too should his methods.
2. Virat Kohli’s Pressure to Deliver:
Virat Kohli, another of Indian cricket’s giants, has faced significant scrutiny in recent years due to his fluctuating performances in the IPL. Despite being one of the most successful cricketers of his generation, Kohli has faced criticism for prioritizing individual milestones, sometimes at the cost of the team’s needs.
In IPL 2025, Kohli continued to be the face of his franchise, but his on-field decisions and batting approach have come under fire. Kohli’s penchant for chasing personal records, such as the number of runs scored or centuries made, has sometimes been seen as detrimental to the collective team effort. Kohli has been known to bat aggressively, even in situations where a more patient or conservative approach might have been more appropriate for the team.
Whereas Iyer’s selflessness exemplified a new approach to leadership, Kohli’s aggressive desire to maintain his dominance has led some to accuse him of putting personal achievements ahead of the team’s success. Critics have also pointed out that, much like Dhoni, Kohli has occasionally been reluctant to relinquish his position or adapt his game, especially when under pressure.
3. The Generational Divide in Indian Cricket:
The core of the criticism lies in the generational divide between the likes of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer. Dhoni and Kohli are products of an era where individual success was heavily emphasized. Both cricketers have built their careers on personal records and achievements, often leading from the front. But as Iyer’s actions have shown, the modern game, particularly in the IPL, is evolving. Selflessness and team-first thinking are becoming more central to leadership, and players are now expected to make decisions that benefit the group rather than their individual legacy.
Iyer’s leadership reflects the new cricketing ethos, where the focus is on emotional intelligence, teamwork, and adapting to the situation at hand. His willingness to step aside for his teammate in a key moment is symbolic of the changes happening in the cricket world, where a more collaborative and egalitarian approach to leadership is taking precedence.
The Impact of Criticism
While Dhoni and Kohli have undoubtedly been stalwarts of Indian cricket, the criticism they are facing highlights the increasing demand for transparency and adaptability in leadership roles. Both of these players have, over the years, been criticized for clinging to their established methods of leadership without fully adapting to modern demands. As the IPL grows in stature and young players like Shreyas Iyer set new precedents, the expectations of what makes a good leader are evolving.
That said, the criticism also serves as a reminder that no cricketer is beyond reproach, no matter how legendary. For Dhoni and Kohli, the challenge now is to stay relevant in a changing landscape while balancing their legacy with the evolving demands of leadership.
Conclusion
The criticism of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli following Shreyas Iyer’s selfless act in IPL 2025 offers a fascinating look into how leadership in cricket is evolving. While Dhoni and Kohli have undoubtedly shaped Indian cricket for the better, their approach to leadership and decision-making is under increased scrutiny. In contrast, Iyer’s selfless approach signals the growing importance of emotional intelligence and prioritizing team success over personal milestones.
As the IPL continues to showcase the best talent, it will be interesting to see how these legendary players respond to the changing dynamics of leadership, and whether they can adapt to remain at the forefront of the game. In the meantime, players like Shreyas Iyer, who embody the evolving ethos of selflessness and teamwork, are setting new standards for leadership in cricket.
