Virat Kohli has expressed the importance of having family presence during tours, highlighting their grounding effect during challenging times. Speaking at the RCB Innovational Lab Indian Sports Summit, he criticized a BCCI directive that limits family time on long tours, emphasizing the emotional support families provide. He stated that players desire their families’ company, as it normalizes life amidst the pressures of cricket. Kohli also reflected on balancing his aggressive on-field persona with being a family man, noting his ongoing natural evolution towards calmness, while maintaining competitiveness. He aims to channel this into supporting his team’s success.
“It’s hard to convey to people how grounding it is to return to your family after experiencing something intense outside,” Kohli mentioned at the RCB Innovational Lab Indian Sports Summit before IPL 2025, speaking about the significance of his family’s presence during difficult tours.
“I believe many don’t truly understand the value it offers. It’s disappointing because those who have no influence over situations are often pulled into discussions and portrayed as if, ‘maybe they should be kept away.'”
“Any player would say yes if you asked, ‘Do you want your family around all the time?’ I don’t want to retreat to my room and be alone and sulk,” Kohli stated. “I wish to maintain a sense of normalcy. It helps me view my game as a responsibility that, once completed, allows me to return to my life.
“Life presents various situations continuously, and having your family helps you be entirely normal. This doesn’t mean superficially; rather, it’s about concluding your commitments and returning home to a regular family life. For me, that’s a source of immense joy, and I seize every opportunity to spend time with my family whenever possible.”
“It’s naturally being toned down again,” Kohli responded when questioned about his on-field demeanor. “People aren’t pleased with that, either. Honestly, I am unsure what to do. Earlier, my aggression was a complaint, and now my calmness seems to be a concern as well. I’m uncertain about what the expectation is, which is why I try not to dwell on it much.
“Being the person I am, I do have tendencies to sometimes go overboard. I’ve never shied away from acknowledging that. However, my initial intent has generally been well-placed. I want every event to contribute to my team’s victory, which is why my celebration upon securing a wicket during a tense moment reflects that.
“While this approach might be difficult for some to understand, for me, it always stems from the right place. However, during batting, it puts me in a different mindset because I don’t engage in small, routine occurrences to get excited about. The end goal remains finishing the game. Then, yes, I can display my emotions as before. Yet, this transition is happening naturally within me.
“My competitive spirit has not diminished, so it can be challenging for many to comprehend how my competitiveness can remain high if my aggression is not constantly outwardly displayed. You can maintain aggression within, but it doesn’t always need to manifest through frustration, which I have, even recently. To be honest, I don’t feel proud of those instances.”
Shashank Kishore is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo