Virat Kohli recalls that he was afraid of his career after failure vs. Pakistan: “It was messed up”

Virat Kohli recalled his first India’s presence against Pakistan, which came in South Africa during the 2009 Champions Trophy. However, the 36-year-old revealed that he was afraid of his career after failing to perform in the high-octane clash, which India lost, increased self-doubt about being successful at this level. For Anward, Kohli was not part of the initial squad for the tournament, and only received a final minute call to join the team in South Africa, which was after a nail injury to veteran all-rounder Yuvraj Singh.

“I played my first series in Sri Lanka, and then I was left out of the team for a while because I came to the team in place of Sachin Paji, who had a swallow. And then when he came back, there was no place for me. So I had to wait for my opportunity again. Tell me, keep your suitcase with me, pack your clothes and keep your passport all the time.

Kohli got out after trying to kill Shahid Afridi for a six. Kohli remembered that he could not sleep that night, fearing that his India could end his career.

“So when I went, the next game I played was Pakistan in three days. It was my first India-Pakistan game. I think I had scored about 16 or something. I tried to kill Shahid Afridi for a six straight field in the century, and I was caught. We were a significant moment in that game, and my heart was completely beating.”

“I could not process everything happened within just four days. And I remember we lose that game because it was a big loss. I could not just sleep. I could not sleep. I stayed awake till five in the morning, staring on the roof. I was so, ‘This is.’ I have been called after a year, and I have messed it up.