Virat Kohli has opened up about the emotional and mental toll of leading India’s Test team, revealing that the pressure of captaincy eventually left him “completely spent” by the time he stepped down from the role in 2022. Speaking at the third edition of the RCB Innovation Lab’s Indian Sports Summit, the former India skipper reflected honestly on one of the most demanding phases of his cricketing career.

Kohli remains India’s most successful Test captain, having led the side to 40 victories in 68 matches between 2014 and 2022. Under his leadership, India became one of the most dominant red-ball teams in world cricket, winning historic overseas series and consistently staying at the top of the ICC Test rankings.

However, Kohli admitted that carrying the dual responsibility of being both India’s premier batter and captain eventually became overwhelming. “I ended up being in a place where I became the focal point of our batting unit and leadership. I didn’t realise how much load both those things will present in my daily life because I was so driven and motivated to make sure that Indian cricket stays on top,” Virat Kohli said.

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The batting superstar explained that his relentless drive to maintain India’s dominance in Test cricket came at a personal cost.

“And that’s precisely why by the time I left captaincy, I was completely spent. I was completely consumed by it. It was gruesome. It was difficult to manage expectations,” he added.

Kohli also credited former head coach Ravi Shastri and the team management for creating a secure and fearless environment inside the dressing room during India’s golden phase in Test cricket. “The key during my prime was to make sure the team was secure and insecurity never entered the change room. For that, I have to give massive credit to Ravi Shastri and the support staff,” Kohli said.

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The former skipper revealed that stepping away from captaincy eventually helped him reconnect with the game and share his struggles more openly with the support staff. “Only when I left captaincy, I opened up and shared a lot more with people like Rahul Bhai and Vikram Rathour,” Virat Kohli revealed.

He also expressed gratitude towards Rahul Dravid and former batting coach Vikram Rathour for helping him rediscover his rhythm during his strong Test run in 2023.

“They took care of me in a way that made me feel like I wanted to play for them and perform for the team,” Kohli concluded.