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Virat Kohli, one of cricket’s most iconic figures, recently opened up about his decision to step down as captain of the Indian national team and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In a candid conversation on the RCB podcast, Kohli revealed the immense pressure and scrutiny that led him to relinquish leadership roles, emphasizing his desire to rediscover a “happy space” in his cricketing journey. His remarks offer a rare glimpse into the mental and emotional toll of captaincy at the highest level, shedding light on a decision that surprised fans and analysts alike.
In 2021, Kohli announced his decision to step down as India’s T20I captain after the T20 World Cup, citing the need to manage his workload and focus on his batting. Shortly after, he relinquished RCB’s captaincy, a move that shocked fans given his deep connection with the franchise.
Virat Kohli reflected on stepping down from captaincy
Reflecting on these choices, Kohli admitted that it was an intense phase of his career, managing both captaincy and batting. He revealed that between 2016 and 2019, he had multiple opportunities to explore options outside of RCB. During this peak period, there were constant suggestions for him to make a switch, and the pressure began to mount. Kohli admitted it became particularly challenging as he was leading the Indian national team for 7-8 years and captaining RCB for nine seasons. Alongside the leadership duties, he also had to shoulder high expectations with the bat in almost every game he played.
Talking on the RCB Podcast Kohli said “I’ve said this before, I had the opportunity to explore and look elsewhere, especially during the peak years of my career. From 2016 to 2019, there were constant suggestions for me to switch. At one point, it became really tough because too much was happening. I was captaining India for 7-8 years and RCB for 9 years. There were expectations from me with the bat in every game I played. I was exposed 24*7 and i didn’t know what to do. That’s why i step down.”
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Kohli also emphasized the importance of having a space in his life where he could simply play cricket without the constant burden of judgment or expectations. He expressed a desire to be free from the pressure of being evaluated on what he might achieve in a particular season or what the future holds for him.
“I need to have a space in my life where I can just come and play my cricket without being judged, without being looked at as what are you going to do this season and what’s going to happen now” Kohli added.
Kohli’s captaincy triumphs and trails
Kohli’s captaincy tenure was marked by remarkable achievements and intense challenges. He led India for nearly a decade, from 2014 to 2021, across formats, transforming the team into a formidable force, particularly in Test cricket. Under his leadership, India achieved historic overseas victories, including a series win in Australia. Similarly, as RCB captain from 2013 to 2021, Kohli became synonymous with the franchise, guiding them to the IPL final in 2016. However, despite his passion and tactical acumen, the elusive IPL trophy remained out of reach, adding to the weight of expectations.
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