Virat Kohli Opens Up On His Mental Battle Against Constant Criticism

Virat Kohli has taken a rest again in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. However, he will be in action again in the Asia Cup. Speaking of his form, Virat Kohli failed to score a hundred for India across all three formats since 2019. After the England series, Virat Kohli did not even play in the West Indies and Zimbabwe series.

However, during this rough patch of his career, he has been getting constant criticism. Even, former cricketers have questioned his inclusion in the playing XI despite of poor run of form with the bat. Now, Virat Kohli opened up about managing his mental health during such critical days.

“It is crucial to consistently keep in touch with your inner self.” – Virat Kohli    

Speaking in an interview with Indian Express, Virat Kohli first shared that he loves to spend his time with family and hobbies. He said: “The one thing that truly helps me unwind after a hectic season is spending time with my family. Apart from that, I love to spend time pursuing my hobbies. Travel is something that helps me de-stress a lot, and of course coffee; I believe that I am a coffee connoisseur and absolutely love trying out different flavours and coffee spots around the world”.

Then, Kohli suggested that any athlete needs to focus on his mental health also. “For an athlete, the sport can bring the best out of you as a player but at the same time, the amount of pressure that you are constantly under can affect your mental health negatively. It is definitely a serious issue and as much as we try to be strong at all times, it can tear you apart.” Kohli added.

“My tips to aspiring athletes would be that yes, physical fitness and focus on recovery is the key to being a good athlete, but at the same time, it is crucial to consistently keep in touch with your inner self. I personally have experienced times when even in a room full of people who support and love me. I felt alone, and I am sure that this is a feeling that a lot of people can relate to.” Virat Kohli added.

Virat Kohli also shared that everyone needs to maintain a balance between his inner and outer core. “So, take out time for yourself and reconnect with your core self. If you lose that connection, it wouldn’t take very long for other things to crumble around you. You need to learn how to compartmentalize your time so that there’s balance. It takes practice like anything else in life. But it’s something worth investing in, that’s the only way to feel a sense of sanity and enjoyment while doing your work” Kohli concluded.