Last Updated:May 19, 2026, 21:27 IST
Virat Kohli reflects on emotional stress and loneliness as India captain, says no one asked how he was.
Virat Kohli has recalled the emotional stress of being India’s captain for nine years, saying that when his long stint ended, he looked back and realised that he was never asked the basic question, ‘How are you doing?’ The Delhi batter, considered one of the best and most influential Indian captains despite not winning any white-ball trophies at the helm, said he’d still do it all over again, despite how lonely it could get.
Leading the national side in 213 international matches, Kohli secured 135 victories, culminating in an impressive overall win percentage of 63.38. In Test cricket, Kohli stands as India’s most successful captain, steering the team in 68 matches with 40 wins. History will always remember him as the pioneer for making the team fitter, braver, and instilling the belief that they could win outside India.
In ODIs, Kohli captained 95 games, achieving 65 wins, while his T20I stint earned 30 wins in 50 matches.
“I did look back and realise that no one had really asked me that question for almost nine years – ‘How are you doing?’ When I was in the thick of things, I never really felt like I needed someone to ask me how I was doing. I was okay managing everything. And honestly, I’d do it the same way all over again," Kohli said at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit on Tuesday (May 19).
He also spoke about his personal insecurities, saying he has felt what the youngsters would think of him when they watch him back.
“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. “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.
Beyond team victories, his individual batting stats as captain are staggering, including 5703 Test runs with 20 centuries and seven double centuries, alongside 5549 ODI runs featuring 21 centuries.
