'As a captain you have got to develop a thick skin and Dhoni has that; nothing gets through him. So he would be a good role model for Kohli'
Australia's World Cup-winning captain Steve Waugh feels India’s latest batting sensation Virat Kohli must learn from Mahendra Singh Dhoni to keep his emotions in check and mature as a captain.
Kohli took over the reigns of Test captaincy from Dhoni, who announced his retirement from the longest format of the game post the third Test against Australia in December.
A Kohli-led India drew the fourth and final Test, but lost the series 0-2.
Waugh was of the view that the young leader has a lot to learn.
"Kohli has to mature. He had a few issues this World Cup. He gets a bit too animated, bit too emotional, bit too personal on some issues.
"As a captain you have got to develop a thick skin and Dhoni has that; nothing gets through him. So he would be a good role model for Kohli. He has to be his own man, but also take a bit of what Dhoni has.
“Dhoni has never been bothered about what people say. The external things don't influence him. He just keeps it simple, goes about his job in the best that he can do on the field.
"I like Kohli's passion. You can't be there starting every fight when he is a captain. He has to pull it back. He doesn't have to lose that passion but just have to be a little more smart in the way he does things," said Waugh, on the sidelines of the Laureus World Sports Awards, in Shanghai on Wednesday.
Even Australia was led by a young Steven Smith in recent times, with injury making Michael Clarke unavailable for most of the Australian summer.
Clarke joined the team for the World Cup only to quit ODIs after helping Australia clinch their record fifth World 50-overs' crown.
Waugh did not shy away from comparing Kohli and Smith as players and leaders.
"They are different personalities, poles apart, one who has his emotions in check, while the other shows his emotions all the time. Both are great players; Kohli probably has the best technique and may be Smith has best temperament.
“Both are exceptional talents and they are going to score lot of runs and be leaders for a long time. But there are many things to work on for sure."
Asked if he would like to take up the job of India coach if offered, Waugh replied: "I haven't thought about it. I am not the right candidate right now. I have a good understanding of the game but I don't have coaching experience. It is a difficult job coaching India. You have to know the culture, there is a lot of expectations from the team.
"I also have three teenagers at home now, besides some business commitments. It is a great job and it would be an honour, may be five years down the line I might take it up but not now," he added.