Virat Kohli Opens Up on Struggling With Imposter Syndrome

Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli revealed he suffered from imposter syndrome after leaving the team captaincy in 2022. It was the time when Kohli struggled to score runs, as fans repeatedly questioned his form and fitness in international cricket.

During this tough time, Kohli found strong support from Rahul Dravid and former batting coach Vikram Rathour. Both of them backed Kohli to keep believing in himself, as they knew that his current slump in form was just a temporary phase for the Indian batting star.

“I’ve said this many times about Rahul bhai and Vikram Rathour. I had a great phase in Test cricket, and whenever I meet them, I thank them from the bottom of my heart because they took care of me in a way that made me feel like I wanted to play for them,” said Virat Kohli.

“I wanted to perform, grind it out, and do the hard work because they were so caring and nurturing. They reminded me of everything I had done so far – something you never really sit down and think about as a player,” added Virat Kohli.

Virat also said he went through imposter syndrome after giving up the Indian team captaincy. He revealed the nature of this condition, saying it often forces a player to doubt himself badly even after loads of achievements.

“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,” said Virat Kohli.

“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,” added Virat Kohli.

Kohli then spoke about leadership qualities, saying it is a role where a person has to think more about the team rather than themselves.

“The reason you’re given a leadership role is because people believe you can take on more and still manage it. In many ways, leadership is more about management than even coaching. It’s about understanding the people playing with you and for you, and figuring out how to get the best out of them,” said Virat Kohli.