Virat Kohli Opens Up About His Greatest Heartbreak in IPL 2025
Virat Kohli, the former captain of India and a key player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, recently shared his reflections on India’s heartbreaking defeat to New Zealand in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup semifinal. In a candid discussion on the RCB Podcast, Kohli described the emotional turmoil he faced following the team’s 18-run loss at Manchester, likening his mental state to that of a hangover. He recalled the devastating moments of the match and how it affected him personally, emphasizing the difficulty of processing such a significant defeat.
### The Heartbreaking Semifinal
The 2019 Cricket World Cup semifinal, which extended over two days due to inclement weather, saw New Zealand set a target of 240 runs after resuming play at 211/5. India’s chase started disastrously, as they lost their first three wickets for a mere five runs. After a dismal 92/6, Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni forged a 116-run partnership, providing a glimmer of hope. However, the match slipped away from India when Dhoni was run out in the final moments. Ultimately, India was bowled out for 221 runs in 49.3 overs, falling short by 18 runs.
### Kohli’s Emotional Aftermath
Kohli vividly described his feelings the morning after the semifinal loss. He expressed a profound sense of disorientation, stating, “I had no idea what I wanted to do, whether I wanted to drink coffee, brush my teeth.” This feeling of being dazed echoed the confusion and disappointment that accompanied the team’s unexpected exit from the tournament. Kohli emphasized the challenge of accepting such a defeat, highlighting the emotional toll it took on him and his teammates. He acknowledged that processing the loss was incredibly difficult but stressed the importance of moving forward.
### Performance Insights
Despite the loss, Kohli was one of the standout performers for India during the tournament. He finished as the second-highest run-scorer for India, amassing 443 runs in nine innings at an impressive average of 55.37, including five fifties and a top score of 82. Rohit Sharma led the tournament’s run charts with 648 runs, showcasing his exceptional form with five centuries. Other notable Indian players included KL Rahul with 361 runs, MS Dhoni contributing 273 runs, and bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal, who took 18 and 12 wickets, respectively.
### Leadership Transition
The 2019 World Cup marked a significant transition for Kohli, as it was his last ODI tournament as captain. Following the event, he stepped down from T20I captaincy after the 2021 T20 World Cup and later relinquished Test captaincy in 2022. Rohit Sharma subsequently assumed the captaincy across all formats, leading the team into a new era. Kohli’s reflections on that fateful World Cup semifinal serve as a reminder of the high stakes and emotional investment in international cricket, particularly for a player of his caliber.
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