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Virat Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in modern cricket, has made an emotional revelation about the most difficult period of his career.

The former Indian captain recently admitted that he struggled with “Imposter Syndrome” and experienced emotional exhaustion during his long stint as captain of the India national cricket team.

Kohli also credited former head coach Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikram Rathour for helping him rediscover his love for the game during that challenging phase.

Kohli Reveals Mental Exhaustion During Captaincy

According to Kohli, the constant pressure of leadership slowly drained him mentally and emotionally.

He explained that after stepping down from captaincy duties, Rahul Dravid and Vikram Rathour played a major role in supporting him and helping him enjoy cricket again instead of feeling crushed by expectations.

Kohli admitted that for years he remained so focused on handling team responsibilities that he ignored his own mental well-being.

He also shared that during those difficult years, hardly anyone asked him a simple but important question:

“Are you okay?”

What Is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter Syndrome is a psychological condition where highly successful individuals begin doubting their own abilities and achievements.

People experiencing this often fear that others may eventually discover they are “not truly capable” despite clear evidence of success.

Experts say athletes, corporate leaders, artists, and high-performing professionals commonly face this condition because of constant pressure and public expectations.

Kohli’s Honest Admission About Practice Sessions

Despite being one of cricket’s biggest stars, Kohli admitted that self-doubt still affects him at times.

He revealed that even during practice sessions, he sometimes worries that if he performs poorly in the nets, younger players watching him may question his ability or experience.

His comments highlighted the intense mental pressure elite athletes continue to face even after achieving global success.

How Rahul Dravid Helped Kohli Recover

Kohli said Rahul Dravid understood his emotional struggles because he had personally experienced the pressure of international cricket and captaincy himself.

Under Dravid and Vikram Rathour, the dressing-room environment reportedly became more relaxed and positive.

That support system allowed Kohli to slowly reconnect with the joy of playing cricket rather than constantly carrying the burden of leadership and expectations.

Toughest Phase of Kohli’s Career

Between 2020 and 2022, Kohli experienced one of the hardest periods of his cricket journey.

During that phase:

• He went nearly three years without scoring a Test century
• India’s captaincy structure changed dramatically
• He stepped down as T20I captain
• He was removed from ODI captaincy
• He eventually resigned from Test captaincy in early 2022

The difficult run sparked intense scrutiny from fans, media, and former cricketers.

However, Kohli eventually made a powerful comeback and regained his form across formats.

Mental Health Conversation Growing in Cricket

Kohli’s candid remarks have once again highlighted the importance of mental health discussions in professional sports.

In recent years, several international athletes have openly spoken about:

• Burnout
• Anxiety
• Emotional fatigue
• Performance pressure
• Mental well-being

Cricket experts believe such conversations help normalize mental health struggles among athletes and encourage younger players to seek support when needed.

Kohli’s Journey Inspiring Fans Again

Fans across social media praised Kohli for speaking honestly about his struggles despite being one of the biggest names in world cricket.

Many supporters believe his willingness to discuss vulnerability and emotional challenges makes his journey even more inspiring beyond the cricket field.