“Frustration was starting to sneak in for me because I was in denial. I was really irritable and snappy in my own area. It wasn’t fair to my family, my close friends, my wife Anushka Sharma, and the individuals who help you. So I had to own up to that and sort of put things in perspective,” Kohli said in an interview with colleague Suryakumar Yadav on bcci.tv.
“My cricket was far away from me. My desires and attachments had completely seized control. I realised then that I couldn’t stay disconnected from who I am. I must stay true to who I am. I have to accept it even when I am weak, not playing well, or the worst player around. I can’t be in denial,” Kohli said, acknowledging his weaknesses.
In fact, he had some words of wisdom for Surya, who is playing in the best T20I form of his life. “Occasionally what happens, and you (Surya) will also encounter it as you play more and more right now, is that people view you differently. The phrase “Surya will do it” will be used when Surya walks outside to play. He described the weight of expectations he has been carrying for more than a decade to his younger colleague as “an intensive process.