Beyond the Obvious: King Kohli's Mental Health Struggle

In the realm of international cricket, "King Kohli", as he is fondly called by fans and the media, is an indomitable force. His unmatched passion for the game and on field persona has made Virat Kohli an epitome of strength and determination. In this sport, physical prowess is often considered the most powerful due to which other aspects of the game are overshadowed. Yet, behind this grandeur, lies the human story of vulnerability, of how Virat Kohli struggled with his mental health as he had to go through a phase of clinical depression. This makes it imperative for us to understand not only the importance of mental health but also advocate for it.

"I'm not shy to admit that I was feeling mentally down. I'm looked at as a guy who has been mentally very strong and I am. But everyone has a limit and you need to recognize that limit, otherwise, things can get unhealthy for you.”

Covid-19: The eye opener

The difficult times of Covid-19 have had far reaching impacts which have altered the world as we knew it. Discussions around health were omnipresent but they were disproportionately attributed to just physical health. There’s a lot of talk around physical health but when it comes to mental health and fitness, the conversation is suppressed. Virat Kohli's candid revelation serves as a crucial reminder that "I am suffering" isn't a sign of weakness, but rather a call for understanding, empathy and support.

“When you begin to sit together and have discussions, share experiences so that you know you’re not the only one feeling this and you can help each other out, that’s when things start getting better,” says Kohli.

“We’re so caught up with performing and winning, that we actually become egoistic maniacs,” says Kohli, highlighting the mounting pressure athletes feel. Success or failure shouldn't be the only metrics that define one's worth.

King Kohli’s moment of reckoning

Despite what the world refers to as a massive success, Kohli wasn't immune to the struggles. He endured a rough patch for some time that came with an extremely difficult phase that took a toll on him mentally, such that even his bat, his constant companion, remained untouched for a month.

He shared about the societal pressures of maintaining a fake image with regards to our own intensity which make us push ourselves beyond our limits, eventually leading to a burnout. In this case, it becomes paramount that we understand our limits, tune into our inner voice and listen to ourselves, to what our mind and body are trying to convey to us.

“For the first time in 10 years, I didn't touch my bat for a month. I came to the realization that I was trying to fake my intensity a bit recently. I was convincing myself that no, you had the intensity. But my body was telling me to stop. My mind was telling me to take a break and step back.”

Kohli’s absence from the game wasn’t just a break, it was a time for him to rejuvenate and rediscover his love and passion for the game by taking a pause to reignite passion and provide clarity.

And that’s why it’s important to take a step back in order to move forward. With the hustle culture being celebrated everywhere, we often forget to take a break for ourselves, a time to pause, introspect and self reflect so that we have a hold of what needs to be done next.

"I was experiencing that I'm not excited to train, I wasn't excited to practice, and that really disturbed me because this is not who I am, and I literally needed to step away from that environment."

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The double-edged sword of success

Being dubbed "King Kohli" comes with its share of burdens. The pressure, the constant scrutiny, and the weight of expectations can take a toll on anyone's mental health. As Kohli rightly points out, there's a dire need to shift focus from just professional achievements to the holistic well-being of a person.

He mentioned that the pressure of his career had a negative effect on his mental health and asserted that it’s important for athletes to rest and recover from the pressures of sport to connect with their core self.

Embracing vulnerability

Kohli expressed that he was the kind of person who would help his team "win at any cost", even if it meant that he was "gasping for breath" at the end of it all. "That was not happening naturally. I was having to push myself. I didn't know it. I had become this ideal kind of sportsperson to look up to. I get so grateful for the fact that so many people get inspired because of me, but you can't stop being a human being because of that.”

With publicly acknowledging his struggles, Virat Kohli has openly challenged and redefined the conventional understanding of strength. In a world where vulnerability is seen as a sign of weakness, Kohli demonstrates the strength in acknowledging our own struggles.

Ambition is undeniably important to be successful in your career, but when we start thinking like ‘I have to win, I have to perform at any cost,’ then it becomes a problem. It’s utmost important that we set limits to our ambition, to have a proper balance of determination and self awareness.

“We need to have a perception of giving our best and understanding that we have this opportunity today and tomorrow, we should be able to embrace the effort, be grateful and honest towards our journey rather than measuring everything from a success and failure point of view.”

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Importance of speaking up

We have a fear of being judged or perceived mentally weak if we share about the mental struggle we’re going through. Instead of suppressing our emotions and maintaining a facade of strength, we need to find the true strength of acknowledging our feelings and seeking support.

It’s okay to not be okay. Every person has a different journey when it comes to mental health. Feeling mentally overwhelmed or weak doesn't diminish our worth or capability; it merely underscores our shared human experience.

Kohli says "You will get help from people you never imagined, but we don't speak because we are hesitant. We don't want to be looked at as mentally weak. Trust me, faking to be strong is far worse than that. I'm not feeling any shame that I was feeling mentally weak."

Sharing our own thoughts can have a ripple effect, encouraging others to speak up so that we have a community of empathy, support and understanding to help each other come out stronger than before.

Final thoughts

Playing non stop for ten years and captaining across formats for seven years made it important for King Kohli to take a one month break to reconnect to what he loved the most. His journey through mental health struggles serves as a powerful reminder that even the mightiest have their moments of vulnerability. But it is in these moments that the true strength of a person shines through. By speaking up and seeking help, Kohli not only reclaimed his mental love for the game but also inspired countless others to do the same.

In the end, it's not about how many runs you score, but how you navigate the crests and troughs of life that truly defines you.