On Tuesday, the Indian skipper, Virat Kohli revealed how he “howled” through the night after facing rejection from his state team before turning into the world’s leading batsman. Virat and his Bollywood actress wife Anushka Sharma opened up about their lives and careers in an online session with students on how to get motivated. 

Recalling his struggling days, Kohli said, “The first time I was rejected in the state selections, I remember it was late at night and I just cried. I howled till about three in the morning and I could not believe it. Because I scored well, everything was going perfectly for me. I performed till I reached that stage and I was rejected. And I kept asking my coach for two hours, why didn’t it happen? And I couldn’t make sense of it. But when there is passion and commitment, that motivation comes back to you.”

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The Indian skipper reckons that the COVID-19 crisis has made the people more compassionate. He made his debut for home state Delhi in 2006 before making his international debut two years later in a one-day international against Sri Lanka.

Virat has since shattered records on the way to accumulating 7,240 runs, including 27 centuries and 22 fifties in 86 Test matches. His marriage to Anushka in 2017 has added to the spotlight on him and Kohli credited his wife for improving his temper.

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Talking to each other, the couple said, “To be honest the patience bit I have learned ever since I and Anushka met each other. The learnings from one another that we have had, looking at her personality, looking at her composure in situations has really inspired me to fight it out.  Even when things are tough you have to swallow your ego and keep being there in adversity, keep fighting your way out and eventually you will find away.

Kohli said he can now apply that learning “where things are totally against you.”