“Even in a room full of people, I felt alone”: Virat Kohli opens up on mental health struggle

Former India captain Virat Kohli, who became the global superstar of the game and took his team to unparalleled heights, has opened up about mental health struggles. Notably, Kohli has been going through a rough patch for a while now. Runs have dried up for the Delhi-born cricketer as he has not scored a century in international cricket since 2019.

Fans would be hopeful to see Kohli coming back in form in the upcoming Asia Cup 2022, where the Men in Blue will play their first game against arch-rivals Pakistan on August 28.

Ahead of the mega event, Kohli, who built a reputation for exemplary batting, spoke about how the pressure of constant performance sometimes negatively impacted his mental health.

“I personally have experienced times when even in a room full of people who support and love me, I felt alone, and I am sure that this is a feeling that a lot of people can relate to,” Kohli told The Indian Express.

Kohli weighted the importance for athletes to rest, recover from the pressures of sport, and reconnect with their ‘core self’.

“So, take out time for yourself and reconnect with your core self. If you lose that connection, it wouldn’t take very long for other things to crumble around you. You need to learn how to compartmentalise your time so that there’s balance. It takes practice like anything else in life, but it’s something worth investing in, that’s the only way to feel a sense of sanity and enjoyment while doing your work,” added Kohli.