Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli on Tuesday (May 19) revealed that former head coach Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikram Rathour were pivotal in helping him get through the immense mental burnout of captaincy.

After stepping down from Test captaincy in 2022, Kohli’s lean with the bat continued where he didn't score a century for three years. However, the supportive environment created by Dravid and Rathour helped him mentally, resulting in an upturn in 2023 with two Test centuries and a record-breaking ODI World Cup.

Speaking at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit in Bengaluru, Kohli credited the duo for providing a nurturing and caring environment that helped him rediscover the joy of playing cricket.

"I've said this many times about Rahul bhai and Vikram Rathour. I had a great phase in Test cricket, and whenever I meet them, I thank them from the bottom of my heart because they took care of me in a way that made me feel like I wanted to play for them," Kohli said.

"I wanted to perform, grind it out, and do the hard work because they were so caring and nurturing. They reminded me of everything I had done so far - something you never really sit down and think about as a player," he added.

Kohli praised Dravid for relating to his feelings, as the latter had also experienced similar pressures and insecurities at the highest level of international cricket.

"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 stated.

"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.

"Rahul bhai understood that because he had experienced it himself at the highest level. Vikram had been around for years too. They understood what I was feeling and genuinely took care of me mentally. That put me in a space where I could enjoy my cricket again," he further remarked.

Virat Kohli also reflected on his nearly decade-long tenure as captain, admitting the role became emotionally draining. He noted that leadership requires constant suppression of emotion to manage the team.

"The reason you're given a leadership role is because people believe you can take on more and still manage it. In many ways, leadership is more about management than even coaching. It's about understanding the people playing with you and for you, and figuring out how to get the best out of them," Kohli said.

"To do that, you constantly have to be in a space where you're not focused on yourself. You don't even think about whether someone is going to ask you, 'Are you okay?' That thought doesn't even cross your mind."

"I did look back and realise that no one had really asked me that question for almost nine years - 'How are you doing?'"

Despite the challenges, Kohli said he would approach leadership in the same way again if given the chance.

“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,” he said.

Sharing his views on workload management, Kohli advocated for pushing physical limits before trying to slow down.

“I don't really believe in managing workload when you're still in the thick of your journey and trying to grow. First, you have to understand your maximum limit. Only then do you understand balance - how much you can truly take before you begin to taper it down. But if you start managing too early, you may never reach your full potential.”

(With Cricbuzz Inputs)