After last year's T20 WC, Kohli decided to step down from T20I captaincy. Rohit Sharma was then handed leadership in both the white-ball formats while Kohli proceeded to relinquish Test leadership too after the tour of South Africa where the hosts came from behind to win the series 2-1.
Kohli recently took a month-long break from cricket, which he later admitted was a much-needed mental hiatus leading up to the Asia Cup.
"One thing I can tell you is when I gave up Test captaincy, I got a message from only one person who I've played with before - MS Dhoni," Kohli said in the post-match press conference on Sunday. "A lot of people have my number and a lot of people give suggestions on TV, but among people who have my number, I didn't get a message from anyone else.
"When there's respect and a connection with someone, when it's genuine, it looks like this. Because there's security at both ends. Neither was I insecure with him [Dhoni] nor was he insecure with me. All I can say is if I want to tell someone something I'll reach out individually, if the help is needed. If you give a suggestion in front of the whole world, it holds no value for me. If it is something that will improve me then you can do it one-on-one also," Kohli opined.
"I've played for 14 years, it doesn't happen by chance. My job is to work hard on my game, something that I am always keen to do for the team and something that I continue to do. Everyone's doing their job eventually, our job is to play the game, work hard, give our 120% and I've said it in the past that as long as I am doing that and the team has faith in that, what happens in the change room is the only thing that matters to us, and to me personally," he said.
"People have their opinions and that's absolutely fine but that doesn't change my happiness as a person. I've taken some time away, put things in perspective. It's given me kind of a relaxation that this is not the be-all and end-all of life. I need to enjoy the game, I can't put so much pressure of expectation on myself, that I am not able to express myself. That is not why I started playing this game.
Kohli admitted he was able to 'find that excitement back' on his return for the multi-team event and lauded the current team environment that Rohit Sharma and the team management have managed to create.
"I was able to find that excitement back. And when I came here, the environment was very welcoming, the camaraderie with the boys is amazing, the environment in the team is amazing. I am absolutely loving playing at the moment again and I am feeling good with the way I am batting."
Further illustrating where the team is currently at in terms of being a secure environment, Kohli spoke of Arshdeep Singh's experience in the lost fixture of Sunday. The young pacer dropped a regulation catch of Asif Ali in the 18th over of Pakistan's run chase, leaving him looking devastated on the ground. Kohli, however, reckoned that once the events of that game are openly discussed, Arshdeep would yearn to be in such a pressure situation again so he could do it right this time.
"Under pressure, anyone can make a mistake. It's a big match and the situation was tight. I remember when I first played in the Champions Trophy. Against Pakistan, I remember I hit a very bad shot off Shahid Afridi. Till 5 am next morning, I was only staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. I thought I'll never get a game again, my career is over. So it's natural to feel like this (disheartened).
"When the team environment is good then you learn from it and when such an opportunity comes up again, you look forward to it, hoping the ball comes to you. I think I'd credit the management and captain for that team environment. They've created such an environment that the players feel if such an opportunity comes up again, we want it, that moment. The environment is good where you address your mistakes, accept it and look forward to being under the same pressure situation," Kohli said.
By cricbuzz
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