Virat Kohli Calls India’s Test Series Defeat to Australia His ‘Most Intense Disappointment’

Virat Kohli has described India's recent 3-1 Test series loss against Australia as the "most intense disappointment" of his cricketing career. The former India captain reflected on the challenging series, recalling his early success with a century in the opening Test and the subsequent struggle to maintain form.

Speaking at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit ahead of IPL 2025, Kohli admitted that this defeat surpassed his previous disappointment during India's tour of England in 2014.

"If you ask me the intensity of how disappointed I've been, the recent Australia tour feels the most intense," Kohli shared. "For a long time, England 2014 bothered me, but this feels different. I may not have another opportunity to play in Australia in four years, so I need to accept what’s happened."

Kohli had started the series on a high note, scoring a brilliant century in the Perth Test as India secured a 1-0 lead. However, he managed just 85 runs in the remaining four Tests as Australia bounced back to clinch the series and reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade.

Reflecting on his mindset, Kohli added, “I thought after the first Test, 'let's go, this will be a big series for me.' But things didn’t pan out that way.” He emphasized the importance of accepting setbacks and giving himself time to reflect before making major decisions.

Cricket’s Olympic Return – A Unique Opportunity

Kohli also commented on cricket’s return to the Olympic stage at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. When asked about the possibility of participating, Kohli jokingly responded, “If we're playing for the gold medal, I might sneak in for one game, grab a medal, and head home!”

On cricket being part of the Olympics, he remarked, “The IPL has played a huge role in popularizing cricket globally. It's a fantastic opportunity for players, and winning an Olympic gold would be an incredible achievement.”

Kohli expressed optimism about India's chances at the Games, stating, “I’m sure we’ll be somewhere close to that medal.”


News Source: Original article from The Hindu