‘I'll have to go back to first-class cricket’ - Virat Kohli recalls fearing Test ouster in 2012

Whenever the best batter in world cricket is discussed, Virat Kohli’s name is at the top. Over the years, Kohli has become a force to be reckoned with, and is feared by bowlers across the globe. The 34-year-old has amassed 12809 runs in 271 ODIs, 4008 runs in 115 T20Is, and 8195 runs in 106 Test matches. He recently also achieved the feat of 25000+ runs in international cricket.

Despite having such a fabulous record, it wasn’t always easy going for the ace batter. Recently, Kohli came forward to talk about the time when he feared being dropped from the national team. He talked about a Test match against Australia back in 2012.

"When we arrived in Perth, at the first glimpse of the surface, we knew that it was a very tough pitch to bat on as there was ample pace and bounce on offer. Not only were these two the solitary nightmares, but to add to a batter’s woe, there was ample grass as well.

And I knew that if I do not perform in this Test match, then there was no chance that I was playing the fourth. Probably, I will have to go back to first-class cricket and climb my way back to the top again," Kohli said on the RCB podcast.

"So I clearly remember that when I left Sydney, there was a lot of vitriol. Especially when you lose the first two Test matches of a series in Australia, the whole environment becomes very tense. Everyone is obviously feeling a lot of pressure and when it is your first tour to Australia and you see everyone feeling a lot of pressure around, you think that I have got no chance here," he added.

I kept telling myself that I am good enough and I can do it: Kohli

Despite having thoughts of being dropped from team India and despite the self-doubt, Kohli was able to overcome the negativity and was one of the best performers for India in the series. He was also India’s highest run-getter in the match.

"I kept telling myself that I am good enough and I can do it. I ended up scoring 48 in the first innings and 75 in the second in that Test match, braving conditions that were extremely tough. I was the highest run-getter in that Test match for us. That made me believe that the power of visualisation and belief in yourself is so huge, we never fully tap into the potential like that," Kohli said.