Right now, I'm feeling pretty happy in my life. I still enjoy playing the game, so no need to worry—I'm not dropping any big news. Everything's good for now, Virat Kohli shared with an engaged crowd at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit on March 15, just a week ahead of the IPL 2025 kickoff.

Kohli had just wrapped up a successful Champions Trophy run with the Indian team. After his match-winning century against Pakistan, he mentioned he was looking forward to some downtime before the next game, saying, “At 36, a week off is really beneficial. It takes a lot out of me to put in that much effort.”

While it was understandable that Kohli might experience a dip in form, the idea that he could be feeling tired and not in peak condition raised some eyebrows.

During a session led by former England bowler Isa Guha, Kohli touched on various topics, but his comment about not being nervous really resonated with the audience. He also opened up about some of his struggles.

“If you want to know how disappointed I've been, the recent tour of Australia stands out the most for me. It feels the most intense,” Kohli reflected. “I had a solid score in the first Test and thought, ‘Great, this is going to be another big series for me.’ But it didn’t go as planned.”

For me, it’s all about accepting the situation: “Alright, this is what happened. I need to be real with myself. Where do I want to head from here? How am I feeling energy-wise?” I’m not rushing to make a decision in the next 48 or 72 hours. I prefer to take some time with my family, let things settle, and see how I feel in a few days. Within five or six days, I was pumped to hit the gym again. I thought, “Alright, everything’s good.”

The aftermath of that tour in Australia led to stricter rules for Indian teams during series, but Kohli strongly advocated for having family around on tour.

“It’s tough to explain how grounding it is to return to your family after facing something intense out there,” Kohli shared. “I don’t think people really grasp the value of that. It’s disappointing because those who have no control over the situation are often dragged into discussions, suggesting they should be kept away. If you ask any player if they want their family close by, the answer will always be ‘Yes!’”

Kohli also delved into leadership and managing different personalities. “If I tell Mohammed Shami, ‘You’re in charge of this group of bowlers for the next two months,’ he’ll respond with, ‘Thanks a lot! It was great playing with you.’ But if I say the same to Jasprit Bumrah, he’ll just say, ‘Sure thing.’”

If I were to tell Shami, "Hey, the ball's in your court. I want you to charge in for an eight-over spell. Bowl like it’s the final moment of your career," he’d deliver a performance that’s a joy to watch. You can inspire them to bring out their best selves.

Kohli stepped away from T20 Internationals after India clinched the World Cup, but the only thing that might lure him back is the chance for Olympic gold, especially with cricket making its debut in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. When Guha asked if he could be tempted out of retirement, Kohli joked, “Maybe if we’re playing for a gold medal, I might just jump in for one game. Grab a medal and head back home!”

The laughter that followed showed he was just kidding. Fortunately for his countless fans worldwide, he was serious when he mentioned that he’s not planning any other retirements at the moment.

Read Also: Virat Kohli Drops Hint on T20I Return for a ‘First-of-Its-Kind’ Match

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