"I've had many phases where I've doubted myself" - Virat Kohli opens up after stellar show in IND vs SA 2025 ODIs

Veteran Team India batter Virat Kohli has candidly admitted that there have been phases in his 17-year long international career when he has doubted his ability. The 37-year-old, however, added that the whole journey of ups and downs has been a learning experience and has only made him a better person.

Kohli was named Player of the Series against South Africa for amassing 302 runs in three innings at an average of 151 and a strike rate of 117.05 in the ODI series. After hammering tons in the first two matches, he remained unbeaten on 65 off 45 balls in the third one-dayer in Visakhapatnam.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Kohli expressed satisfaction at his performance, while also adding that he is not immune to self-doubt when things are not going his way. The 37-year-old commented (via ESPNcricinfo):

"You tend to go into a space where you feel like maybe I'm not good enough, the nerves take over and that's the beauty of sport, especially a skill like batting where you have to keep overcoming that fear every ball that you play and eventually play long innings and get into a zone again where you can start playing confidently. It's a whole journey of learning and getting to know yourself better.

"I can surely vouch for the fact that being a batsman and realizing so much about myself, what kind of negative thinking patterns I have, where I can get into a zone where I don't feel confident... it just improves you as a person in general and your whole temperament becomes much better and balanced over so many years. So, yes, I've had many phases where I've doubted myself and I haven't been shy to admit that," Kohli added.

Before his unbeaten half-century in Visakhapatnam, Kohli scored 135 off 120 in Ranchi in the first ODI and 102 off 93 in Raipur in the second one-dayer.

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Virat Kohli's excellent record in ODIs in Visakhapatnam

Kohli has an exceptional record in one-day cricket at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. In eight ODIs at the venue, he has scored 652 runs at an average of 108.66 and a strike rate of 103.49, with three tons and three fifties.

The former India captain hammered 157* off 129 balls against West Indies in Visakhapatnam in October 2018. He also struck 118 off 121 against Australia in October 2010 and 117 off 123 deliveries against West Indies in December 2011.