Virat Kohli opens up on depression and mental health struggles

Virat Kohli is the reigning skipper of Team India across formats and is widely regarded as the world's best batsman. However, it did not come easy, while he has revealed that there was a point when he suffered from depression and was battling mental health issues.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli might be the most lively skipper Team India ever had, while his sublime batting skills and bold attitude make him one of the world's most feared cricketers. However, he did have to grind it hard and struggle to attain the success he has today.

Meanwhile, Kohli recently opened up that he suffered depression at a point and was battling mental health issues. Speaking to former English all-rounder Mark Nicholas, Kohli revealed that during the 2014 tour of England, a series of failures with the bat made him feel like the "loneliest guy in the world".

"It's not a great feeling to wake up knowing that you won't be able to score runs and I think all batsmen have felt that at some stage that you are not in control of anything at all. You just don't understand how to get over it. That was a phase when I literally couldn't do anything to overturn things. I felt like I was the loneliest guy in the world," he said during the Not Just Cricket podcast, reports PTI.

"Personally, for me, that was a revelation that you could feel that lonely even though you a part of a big group. I won't say I didn't have people I could speak to, but not have a professional to speak to who could understand what I am going through completely, which is a huge factor. I would like to see it change," he added.

However, Kohli asserted that it is not something to be taken lightly and needs to be seriously looked upon, as it could ruin a person's career and life if not assessed properly. He states that professional help should always be sought at this stage.

"Lot of people suffer from that feeling for longer periods. It carries on for months; it carries on for a whole cricket season, people are not able to get out of it. I strongly feel the need for professional help there to be very honest," he wondered.

Kohli also recalled when he had lost his father at an early age, which turned out to be the most impactful phase of his life. "That incident really put things in proper perspective for me. My father worked very hard in the initial days to make sure that I got the best cricket gear or continued with my cricket practice. From there on, it made my belief even stronger that come what may; I am definitely going to realise my dream to play at the highest level and represent my country," he concluded.