Team India is set to begin their Asia Cup 2022 campaign on Sunday when they take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their first match. While India vs Pakistan matches are always high-profile, it is going to be an even more electrified affair as this is the first time since India was humiliated by Pakistan in the T20 World Cup with a massive 10-wicket win last year at the same venue.

Ahead of the match, former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli shared a passionate message about another former India captain, MS Dhoni, on Instagram with a photo of the iconic duo.

Also Read: India vs Pakistan match forces World Cup organisers to release ‘standing’ tickets

“Being this man’s trusted deputy was the most enjoyable and exciting period in my career. Our partnerships would always be special to me forever. 7+18,” Kohli captioned the photo with MS Dhoni.

Virat Kohli, who replaced Dhoni as India’s ODI and T20I captain in January 2017, had a lengthy spell as his deputy. During this time, India won numerous trophies under the captaincy of Dhoni and Kohli cemented himself as one of the world’s most destructive batters.

The duo share a good relationship both on and off the field. Dhoni and Kohli’s partnership against Australia at the T20 World Cup 2016 is one of their most memorable moments. While Kohli scored a memorable 82 off 51 balls, Dhoni’s finishing knock of 18 runs off 10 balls proved to be the cherry on the cake.

Also Read: Watch: Babar Azam and Virat Kohli exchange greetings before crunch Asia Cup tie

However, it has been more than 1000 days since Kohli scored his last century in any of the three formats of cricket. His last century came against Bangladesh on November 23, 2019, in a Pink ball Test match. His dwindling form worsened during India’s tour of England in July, which resulted in critics demanding Kohli’s exclusion from the Indian squad for the Asia Cup and subsequent T20 World Cup in Australia.

However, Kohli has been included in India’s squad for the Asia Cup and is likely to be one of the most crucial players for the Men in Blue at the continental tournament.