Virat Kohli Opens Up on Stepping Down as Captain: “I Didn’t Know What to Do”

In a candid conversation on the RCB Podcast, former India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) captain Virat Kohli revealed the emotional and mental toll that led to his decision to relinquish captaincy. Speaking with Mayanti Langer, the iconic cricketer also admitted that during his most challenging years, he even considered leaving RCB—a team he has remained loyal to since the inaugural IPL season.

THE WEIGHT OF EXPECTATION (2016–2019)

Kohli described the period between 2016 and 2019 as the most demanding of his career. Juggling captaincy responsibilities for both Team India and RCB while constantly being under public and media scrutiny became overwhelming.

> “I captained India for 7–8 years and RCB for 9 years. There were always expectations from me, especially with the bat, every single game. I never felt the pressure at ease. It was 24/7 exposure, and it became extremely tough to handle,” Kohli explained.

THE BREAKING POINT: CHOOSING HAPPINESS OVER PRESSURE

Eventually, Kohli recognized that the joy of playing cricket was being overshadowed by the relentless pressure. That realization drove him to make some tough calls.

> “I needed to be happy. I wanted to enjoy my cricket again, without constantly being judged. That’s when I decided to step away from captaincy,” he shared.

Kohli stepped down as RCB captain after the 2021 IPL season. Soon after, he gave up India’s T20I captaincy and was removed from ODI leadership by the BCCI. His departure from Test captaincy followed in early 2022 after India’s series loss in South Africa.

CONSIDERING A MOVE AWAY FROM RCB

In a surprising revelation, Kohli admitted that during the tough phase, he thought about switching IPL franchises—a move that would have shocked fans, given his long-standing association with RCB.

> “There were suggestions that I should move, and I did think about it. But I was never tempted,” Kohli said.

Instead, he reflected on what truly mattered to him: loyalty, trust, and the emotional bond with the franchise.

> “I asked myself—what is more valuable? I’ve won so much for India, earned accolades... but in the end, the relationship I have with RCB, the mutual respect, that’s what matters more. This is my home,” he affirmed.

LOYALTY OVER LEGACY

Virat Kohli remains the only player to have represented the same IPL franchise since the tournament’s inception. Despite the lure of success elsewhere, he chose to stay with RCB—a decision rooted in principle rather than convenience.

> “Whether we win or not, I’m going to see it through. That’s what loyalty means to me,” Kohli concluded.