Virat Kohli has spoken candidly about the toll India captaincy took on personal well-being, saying the role drained energy and joy before stepping aside in 2022. Kohli explained that the pressure of leading and carrying the batting group eventually left no mental space, and acknowledged that support from Rahul Dravid and Vikram Rathour later helped rebuild confidence and enjoyment.
The former captain said the intensity of leadership responsibilities went unnoticed at first, as ambition to keep India at the top drove every decision. "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.
"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. " Kohli said that level of strain did not bother during peak form, but it gradually became heavy once performances dipped and self-belief wavered.
Virat Kohli on Rahul Dravid, Vikram Rathour and rediscovering Test cricket
Kohli credited head coach Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikram Rathour with restoring the desire to compete, especially in Test cricket. "Only when I left captaincy, I opened up and I shared a lot more with people like Rahul Bhai and Vikram Rathour. I had a great run in Test cricket in 2023 and whenever I meet them, I always thank them from the bottom of my heart.
"They really took care of me in a way that made me feel like I wanted to play for them. I want to perform. I want to go out there and grind it out. They were so caring and nurturing. They made me realise what I have done so far," Kohli said during the third edition of the RCB Innovation Lab's Indian Sports Summit, where these experiences were discussed in detail.
Virat Kohli compares Test cricket numbers under Rahul Dravid
The contrast between 2022 and 2023 highlighted how that backing influenced Kohli's output in Test cricket under Dravid. In 2022, after leaving captaincy, Kohli managed 265 runs across six Tests, averaged 26.5 and reached fifty once. In 2023, still playing under Dravid's guidance, returns improved sharply with more runs, higher average and multiple centuries.
| Year | Tests played | Runs | Average | Hundreds | Fifties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 6 | 265 | 26.5 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | 8 | 671 | 56 | 2 | 2 |
Kohli said the turnaround came after Dravid and Rathour recognised the mental battles behind the dip. "Rahul Bhai has done that way better than a lot of people in Test cricket. Vikram has been around for so many years. So, they understood what I was feeling and they could relate to it. They really took care of me mentally.
Virat Kohli reflects on India captaincy burden and team culture
"So that really put me in a space where I could enjoy my cricket again. But yeah, when I was in the thick of things, I never really felt like I wanted someone to ask me. I was pretty okay with managing everything," he added, explaining that earlier phases involved dealing with issues alone rather than seeking emotional help from team staff.
Kohli also revisited earlier years when the form was strong and responsibility felt manageable, especially around the change room culture. "The key there during my prime was to make sure the team was secure. You know, that insecurity doesn't enter the change room. For that, I have to give massive credit to the management - Ravi Shastri and the team.
"But the form doesn't quite stay for long, then, yeah, both those responsibilities start weighing on you. So, it was tough," he said. Kohli noted that while the mindset of protecting team environment remained constant, declining numbers and ongoing expectations eventually combined with leadership duties to leave the batter mentally exhausted.
Looking back, Kohli said stepping away from India captaincy in 2022 exposed how drained the period had left the mind, but the following season in 2023, with 671 Test runs from eight matches at an average of 56, showed the impact of renewed clarity. The batter stressed that understanding from Dravid, Rathour and previous management allowed focus to shift back to enjoying cricket again.
