After India lost to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semi-final in Manchester, Yuzvendra Chahal said he witnessed Virat Kohli and nearly every other Indian player sob in the restrooms.  

Despite an outstanding bowling effort, India was unable to chase 240 runs and lost that match on the reserved day by 18 runs. New Zealand pacers dominated India's top order, despite half-centuries from Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni.

Chahal, who was part of the 11 in that game, was speaking about the difference between Rohit Sharma and Kohli’s captaincy when Shamani asked him if he had seen the latter cry.

“I love how Rohit bhaiya carries himself on the ground. He’s a very good captain. With Virat bhaiya, it’s the energy he brings, the same energy every day. It will only go up and never down. Same energy. Every day," Chahal said on the podcast, Figuring Out With Raj Shamani.

Shamani pointed to the recent IPL 2025 final, where, after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s win, Kohli couldn’t control his tears on TV.

“2019 World Cup, I saw him crying in the bathroom. And then I was the last batter, when I was crossing him, he had tears in his eyes. In 2019, I saw everyone crying in the bathroom,” Chahal recalled.

Although Chahal had a respectable tournament as well, he was India's most costly bowler in the match. He took one wicket of Kane Williamson but gave up 63 runs in 10 overs. He said it’s a performance he still regrets.

“It was Mahi bhai’s last match. I could have done better. I still regret that. I could have pushed myself a bit more, bowled a bit better, and leaked 10-15 fewer runs. But sometimes you are in that flow, it happens so quickly that you don’t get time to think. I thought if I were calmer, I could have done even better. I gave my best, but it was the semi-final, a bigger stage, and you have to give your 10-15% extra,” Chahal stated.