"I needed to be happy": Virat Kohli opens up on stepping down as India and RCB captain

Virat Kohli has finally opened up about one of the most testing phases of his cricket career — the years between 2016 and 2019 — during which the relentless pressure of leading both the Indian national team and Royal Challengers Bangalore took a toll on his mental health. Speaking on a podcast, Kohli revealed that the constant expectations and scrutiny began to affect his passion for the game.

The iconic batter stepped down as RCB captain after the 2021 IPL season and later relinquished India's T20I captaincy. He was subsequently removed as ODI captain, and the series of transitions culminated in his resignation from Test captaincy in early 2022. Kohli admitted that these decisions stemmed from his desire to find joy again in simply playing cricket.

“I didn’t know what to do,” Kohli recalled. “The attention was always on me. It got really tough. If I had to stay in this space, I needed to be happy and enjoy playing without feeling constantly judged.” He described the years of captaincy as consuming and said the burden affected his well-being both on and off the field.

Kohli also confessed that he had once considered leaving RCB during that phase. Though never fully tempted to switch teams, he reflected on the emotional exhaustion and evaluated what truly mattered to him. In the end, it was the mutual respect and long-standing bond with the RCB franchise that made him stay. “This is my home,” he said. “Whether we win or not, it’s fine. I want to see it through.”

This rare moment of vulnerability from one of cricket’s most passionate competitors sheds light on the toll leadership can take—even on elite athletes—and the importance of mental well-being in sustaining long-term careers.