Virat Kohli credits Rahul Dravid for helping during battle with ‘imposter syndrome’

The 37-year-old Indian top order batter Virat Kohli has opened up about battling imposter syndrome during phases of his career, crediting former India head coach Rahul Dravid for playing a crucial role in helping him to cope up with those mental challenges.

Kohli also praised former batting coach Vikram Rathour, saying both genuinely cared for him, something he remains grateful for every time they meet.

Speaking at an RCB event in Bengaluru on Tuesday, Kohli talked about feeling cautious and insecure while he walked on the ground, saying, ”As players, you're always walking a very thin line between being cautious and being insecure.”

Then, he added, ”You constantly feel like you're never good enough – that imposter syndrome is always there.”

Kohli shared that during the post-captaincy phase he doubted his abilities, afraid of being exposed as not good enough even after playing nearly two decades at the highest level that led him into imposter syndrome. At the time, both Dravid and Rathour helped him a lot, according to him.

“Rahul bhai understood that because he had experienced it himself at the highest level. Vikram had been around for years too. They understood what I was feeling and genuinely took care of me mentally. That put me in a space where I could enjoy my cricket again,” Kohli said.

Virat Kohli said he rediscovered his hunger for hard work and performance because of the caring and nurturing environment created by Dravid and Rathour.

 Kohli added that he remains deeply grateful to both for helping make it such a memorable phase of his test career, saying, “I've said this many times about Rahul bhai and Vikram Rathour. I had a great phase in Test cricket, and whenever I meet them, I thank them from the bottom of my heart because they took care of me in a way that made me feel like I wanted to play for them.”