Virat Kohli’s form has been a major topic of discussion during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The legendary batter has struggled in red-ball cricket this season, averaging just 25.06 so far.
While Kohli’s performances are under scrutiny, Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan recently shared an emotional story from India’s 2018 tour of England, revealing a lesser-known side of the cricketer.
Speaking on The Ranveer Show podcast, Dhawan recounted a conversation with Anushka Sharma, Kohli’s wife, about his mindset during tough times.
“Virat has been through a lot, especially when he’s not in good form. Anushka shared insights with me about his mindset. I think it was the Nottingham Test [Birmingham, 2018], where India lost. She told me she didn’t attend the game that day. When she returned to the hotel room, she found Virat lying down, literally crying,” Dhawan recalled.
However, Dhawan misremembered the details. India had won the Nottingham Test by 203 runs, with Kohli earning Player of the Match for his scores of 97 and 103.
The actor was likely referring to the first Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham, where India lost by 31 runs despite Kohli’s heroic knocks of 149 and 51.
“He [Kohli] blamed himself entirely for the loss, even though he was the highest scorer and the captain of the team. That’s how much responsibility he takes,” Dhawan added.
Kohli’s recent performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy have been underwhelming, barring his unbeaten 100 in the second innings in Perth. In other matches, he managed scores of 7 and 11 in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide and just 3 in Brisbane.
With the final two Tests of the series set to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Kohli will aim to rediscover his form at venues where he has impressive records.
– MCG: Kohli has scored 316 runs in three matches at an average of 52.66, with a highest score of 169.
– SCG: Kohli has accumulated 248 runs at an average of 49.60.
These venues provide an excellent opportunity for Kohli to bounce back, not only for his individual confidence but also to boost India’s chances in the series.
Kohli’s ability to shoulder responsibility, even in difficult times, remains a hallmark of his career. As the series approaches its climax, fans and the team will hope to see the former skipper rise to the occasion once again.