"Even if we lose, I want us to go for the win!" | Dinesh Karthik meets Virat Kohli | Full interview

In the UK, a normal day for Virat Kohli and his family starts with putting their daughter to sleep. They then go out for breakfast and grab a quick coffee before returning to spend time with their daughter. Their priority is staying up-to-date with her schedule. Once things are sorted in the room, they take some time for themselves by taking a relaxing stroll down the street.

Virat Kohli reflects on his transformation from a chubby cricketer who enjoyed eating at local food trucks to becoming a chiseled athlete. He fondly remembers the days when he would finish practice and indulge in delicious Chinese food without any worries. However, in 2012, after experiencing success and then struggling during the IPL, he had a realization that he needed to change his habits if he wanted to excel at the highest level of cricket.

In August-September 2014, I was struggling in England. But when I went to Australia in November, something changed. Before that tour, I felt insecure and wanted to prove myself in different conditions. However, during the tour, I realized that no one was there to help me or contribute positively to my game. This made me question why I needed to prove anything to them. Back home, after hitting rock bottom and filtering out negative influences from my life, I decided to work hard on improving my game with a new mindset: playing Test cricket not just for personal validation but also for the team's success. I sought guidance from Sachin Tendulkar and visualized every day how I would perform against tough opponents like Mitchell Johnson.

"I realized you're probably the greatest cricketer ever and one of the greatest sportsmen I've met." Dinesh Karthik reflects on his fearless attitude and unwavering confidence. He attributes this mindset to his upbringing, constant guidance from his coach, and a defining moment with his father.

"What would Virat Kohli do?" This question motivated me to fight my way up again. Despite the emotional turmoil of losing my father in 2006, I chose to play a domestic cricket match the next day. Leaving the game midway was not an option for me as it felt unfair to the sport that I love so much and that is essentially my life's purpose. My family was surprised by my decision, but I knew deep down that this is what my father would have wanted. Playing with heart and making an impact on others through cricket became clear to me during this journey.

The Aggression on the Field Virat Kohli's aggression and feistiness on the cricket field is evident in his performances, whether it's winning the Under-19 World Cup or leading India to victory in the 2021 World Test Championship. Off the field, however, he is a different person.

'Mean Business' Attitude "When I mean business, I mean business," says Kohli. While he enjoys batting in nets and having fun off-field, when it comes to playing for India or his franchisees, he gives his all with a clear mindset of giving 120% every game.

Every Ball Counts Kohli believes that every ball is an event and treats each moment as an opportunity to make his team win. He throws himself around on every ball throughout test matches because careers are short-lived and making most of each time spent on-field matters.

"Visualization has been a massive part of my journey. Before the Australia tour, I would visualize taking on Mitchell Johnson, one of the most dangerous bowlers in the world. Some may have thought it was foolish to confront him head-on, but for me, it was about fighting rather than fleeing. I believe in giving everything and leaving no regrets."

Believing in Myself When I step onto the field, I have to believe that I'm the best. It's not about disrespecting anyone but having confidence in my own abilities. Even if I get out, it has to be on my terms.

"Ronaldo" - Mental Strength and Discipline [I admire Ronaldo] for his mental strength and discipline. He keeps going despite people disregarding him and stays at the top of his game for 15 years.

The Impact of Anushka Sharma Meeting Anushka changed my life completely. She brought structure into my life and made me realize what impact I can have through what I do.

Virat Kohli discusses the importance of cleanliness and discipline in his life. He mentions that he used to have nasty habits but has now developed a sense of orderliness. Keeping things organized makes him feel relaxed and calm, both on and off the cricket field.

"The only way to deal with social media is to stay true to why you did what you did. Don't worry about what others say or think about your posts and online activities. Focus on your own happiness, authenticity, and potential. Utilize social media for the right reasons and don't let it control you."

Virat Kohli reaches out to young boys, sharing his experiences and guiding them towards success. He wants them to avoid wasting time figuring things out like he did in his younger days. His goal is to make the transition in Indian cricket smooth and ensure that the team stays on top even after senior players retire.

As the captain, my goal was to create an environment and culture where everyone strives for excellence every day. I am proud that our team practices with purpose and professionalism, without wasting time fooling around. Fitness is also crucial, even at the age group level, as fast bowlers are now able to bowl long spells without any issues.

"As the captain of the United team in the current England setup, I wanted to see India produce unorthodox batters like Burns and Sibley. However, it seems that we are taught fundamental basics of the game at a higher level in India. The coaching methods and conditions may also play a role. In India, fast bowling doesn't pose as much challenge as spin does. As long as our batting foundations are correct, we can score runs consistently."

The speaker enjoys being the life of the party and making people laugh. They are not seeking attention but rather want everyone to have a good time. They are willing to take initiative and encourage others to join in on activities. Even in tough moments, they approach life with a positive mindset.

Virat Kohli is known for his punctuality and discipline. He learned the value of being on time from his father and coach. Being punctual has become a habit for him, even in his busy schedule.

Time management has become an integral part of my life. Sometimes, I feel like there are not enough hours in a day. It's difficult to understand someone else's experience until you live it yourself. From the outside, people may think that I have everything, but true happiness comes from enjoying what you do and making time for yourself.

Test cricket has faced challenges in recent years, but it is the players' passion and dedication that keep it alive. The World Test Championship is a positive step towards preserving the format. To ensure its survival, test cricket must be seen as more than just a five-day format; viewers should feel compelled to watch every ball because of the intense competition between teams.

"Test cricket is tough, even for the top teams. It requires honesty with oneself to endure the hard grind and challenges that come with it. Players need to be ready to face difficult spells as bowlers or score big runs as batsmen, even when things are stacked against them. There seems to be a lack of motivation towards test cricket, leading some teams to give up easily and struggle in the game."

"Virat Kohli's mindset in cricket is to grind and fight every night on the field. He pushes himself and enjoys every moment, even when his body is tired. He gives everything for test cricket."

Becoming a father has been the greatest blessing for Virat Kohli. The smile of his child brings him pure joy and makes him forget about everything else in the world. He wishes his late father could have seen him play for India, but he finds happiness in seeing how happy his own parents and Anushka's parents are with their first grandchild.

Dinesh Karthik shares his amazing relationship with Anushka's parents, who have become like his own. From day one, they accepted him wholeheartedly and he never felt out of place. He considers his father-in-law a friend and admires his fearless point of view as an ex-army man. His mother-in-law is also a beautiful person. The entire family is accepting, welcoming, and believes in mutual respect, understanding, and unconditional love.

Dinesh Karthik has a close relationship with his sister and two brothers. They enjoy spending time together, sharing jokes and laughter. Due to the pandemic, they haven't been able to meet often but plan to have family gatherings in the future.

"How can I make my team win?" This question has been the driving force throughout Virat's cricket journey. He believes that in big games, when everyone doubts their chances, he challenges himself to prove them wrong through his conviction and visualization.

"What does it mean for Virat Kohli to win a series in England?" To him, winning a test series in England requires relentless madness and pursuit of excellence. It means being ready for the tough workload and mental load that comes with every test match. For Kohli, winning anywhere else is just as important because what matters most is the culture of competing and striving to win every match."