Virat Kohli Opens Up on Captaincy Exit: ‘I Needed to Find Happiness Again’
In a heartfelt revelation, Virat Kohli, one of India’s most celebrated cricketers, has shared the emotional and mental toll that led to his decision to step down from captaincy roles across formats and his IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Speaking on the RCB Bold Diaries podcast, Kohli reflected on a decade of intense leadership pressure, constant scrutiny over his batting, and his ultimate search for mental peace and joy in the game.
Kohli’s captaincy journey, which began with taking over the Test reins in 2014 and later leading India in all formats, was marked by record-breaking achievements, including guiding India to the No. 1 Test ranking and winning 40 out of 68 Test matches as skipper. However, the weight of expectations became overwhelming by 2021. After relinquishing the T20I captaincy following the 2021 World Cup, he stepped away from RCB leadership and eventually resigned as Test captain in January 2022 after a series loss to South Africa.
‘At one point, it became incredibly tough for me because there was just too much happening in my career,’ Kohli admitted. ‘The expectations on my batting in every single game, coupled with the responsibilities of leadership, started to feel like too much. By the end, I knew I couldn’t carry on like this.’
One of the most striking aspects of Kohli’s confession was his emphasis on reclaiming happiness. In 2022, he took a rare month-long break from cricket—a decision almost unheard of for a player of his stature. ‘I stepped down because I felt that if I’ve decided to be in this space, I need to be happy,’ he said. ‘I wanted to play without the constant feeling of being judged. That joy in playing was slipping away, and I had to bring it back.’
Reflecting on his early international career, Kohli credited former captain MS Dhoni and coach Gary Kirsten for shaping his mindset. ‘They backed me to bat at No. 3 and told me to play my natural game. They valued the energy I brought to the field above all else. That belief gave me confidence,’ he recalled. Kohli also spoke about the role of nervous energy in sustaining success. ‘That very energy keeps you engaged. It’s what drives you forward. The day you stop feeling it, people say you’re done.’
Kohli’s candidness sheds light on the often-unseen pressures of elite sport. Leading India for nearly a decade, amassing over 23,000 international runs, and carrying the hopes of a billion fans is no small feat. Yet, his story is a reminder that even the fiercest competitors need moments of vulnerability to rediscover their passion. As he continues to dominate with the bat—evident in his recent form, including a staggering 1,000+ runs in the 2023 IPL season—Kohli seems to have found that balance he sought. For fans and aspiring cricketers alike, his journey is a powerful testament to prioritizing mental well-being over unrelenting ambition.