Harbhajan says senior players accepted Dhoni as captain without friction
Harbhajan dismisses reports of friction when Dhoni was appointed captain over senior players in 2007.
Harbhajan Singh said the senior Indian players never had issues with MS Dhoni becoming captain at age 26 despite the presence of more experienced teammates. The off-spinner explained that the group understood the captain was not everything and that all 11 players needed to perform for the leader to succeed. Dhoni took charge of a settled side that had played together for seven or eight years.
Harbhajan credited Dhoni's ability to get the best out of individuals without imposing his methods on experienced players. He said the captain focused on extracting performance rather than dictating approach, which proved effective during India's successful period that included the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy.
The comments come as Dhoni continues to play for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL while mentoring younger players in domestic cricket.
CricHubb Take
Dhoni's captaincy succeeded because he treated senior players as collaborators rather than subordinates.