NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli has opened up about struggling with “impostor syndrome” despite being one of the most successful cricketers in the world.
Speaking at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit in Bengaluru, Kohli admitted that self-doubt still affects him even after nearly 20 years at the top level of cricket.
“As players, you’re always walking a very thin line between being cautious and being insecure. You constantly feel like you’re never good enough – that imposter syndrome is always there,” Kohli said.
He added, “Even today, when I go into the nets, I still think: these youngsters are watching. If I have a bad session, they’ll probably wonder, ‘Is this the guy who’s been playing for 20 years?’ That thought is always there.”
Kohli revealed that former India head coach Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikram Rathour played a huge role in helping him mentally after he stepped down as captain.
Kohli said the pressure of leading India across formats had emotionally drained him, especially during his difficult Test phase between 2020 and 2022.
“Rahul bhai understood that because he had experienced it himself at the highest level. Vikram had been around for years too. They understood what I was feeling and genuinely took care of me mentally. That put me in a space where I could enjoy my cricket again,” Kohli said.
Kohli also spoke honestly about how leadership affected his mental wellbeing. He said captains often focus so much on the team that they ignore themselves.
“I did look back and realise that no one had really asked me that question for almost nine years – ‘How are you doing?’”
Despite the emotional challenges, Kohli said he would still approach leadership the same way again. He also advised young cricketers not to focus too much on workload management early in their careers and instead understand their true limits first.
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