THE MIND OF A CHAMPION
Here’s a look at Virat Kohli’s leadership philosophy and what helps him remain charged each time he is out on the field
Ihave interviewed Virat Kohli twice every year for the last few years. And each session has been an opportunity to delve deep into the mind of the champion. What explains his passion on the field and what makes him tick? How is it that he can remain charged each time he is out there leading his side? Where does he get all that energy from? Has Virat changed over time and what is his leadership philosophy?
As I see Virat leading RCB to the play offs, which is now a near certainty I am reminded of what he had said tome on my TV show, “Inspiration”, some months earlier.
“I hate losing you know. I simply hate losing.” While I was intently trying to listen to everything he was saying, my sub- conscious was also trying to notice his body movements. There was a silent resoluteness about him when he spoke about the NZ world cup defeat for example. Make no mistake it still hurts him. Every defeat hurts him. A proud sportsman, Virat is determined and committed to winning a world and an IPL title and will leave no stone unturned in the next few weeks. With a bowling attack that can now win him games, he knows he has the ammunition to mount a ‘ royal’ challenge for the title.
And the key to this determination is the unreal fitness that he has now made second habit for himself and for most of his teammates. “I could sense the changes and realised this was the way forward. I could bat for longer periods and field with intensity without getting tired. As high performance sportsmen and women this is the global fitness standard that we needed to aspire to”, he said. Not only is Virat the captain and talisman of the Indian cricket team and that of RCB, he is also the ambassador for a fitter and healthier India. If he can give up on cheat meals for four years and be true to his case, there is no reason why we can’t stay off such meals for a week and more.
Mostly importantly, Virat is completely at peace with himself. At peace with his game and where he wants to take his cricket. The 2019 world cup is history and mentally he has the T- 20 world cup in 2021 in his subconscious. At the moment, however, it is all about the IPL. The moment it is done he will switch gears and start focussing on Australia, the biggest tour in this calendar year. He wants to win the world Test championship for India for he knows that if he is able to do so, very few will ever doubt his legacy as captain and batsman. And if you just look him close in the eye, you can see and also sense the commitment that defines Virat on the field. A supreme athlete committed to a cause, cricket, I have to say, has its truest devotee. It can only go higher and better with Virat in charge.
— The writer is a senior journalist and
scholar based in India
Virat is completely at peace with himself. At peace with his game and where he wants to take his cricket.