Virat Kohli opens up about his early financial struggles — a powerful reminder of how far grit can take you

Time of India

12-05-2025

credit: Instagran/virat.kohli
In a raw and heartfelt moment, cricket icon and heartthrob of many, Virat Kohli, opened up about a side of his story not often seen on the pitch. On the pitch, he is the fierce player that can never be defeated, and on the other hand, you see this emotional person, who lifted himself and went on to be the greatest cricket player in Indian history.
His family's early financial struggles and the uncertainty that showed his path to success.
When he first started talking to Indian football player Sunil Chettri during a live Instagram session, Virat Kohli reveals a powerful truth that greatness isn't born in comfort- it is created in adversity.
What made Virat Kohli the man he is today
credits: Instagram/virat.kohli
From facing initial challenges such as the payment of academy fees and buying proper gear to play cricket, but even that didn't stop him, he took it sportingly and said, 'If I keep going forward, everything will be taken care of'.
Kohli begins by reflecting on a particularly dark time in his youth. His brother's business faced a severe downturn, and their family, once managing relatively well, suddenly started grappling with money issues.
This memory of his still feels fresh, but perhaps that is what guided him to be the best version of himself, and gave India one of his best players and perhaps an even smarter team captain. At that time when he joined cricket, he did not know that it would guarantee a livelihood; to him, it was just a gamble, but the unshakeable belief that he had in himself and the faith his father instilled in him was more than enough to play that gamble.
What stands out in his whole fiasco is that he took it upon himself, promised himself that he would persist and pursue no matter what. He did not wallow in his circumstances instead, he sharpened his focus, set a target, trained hard and pushed his boundaries to surpass his limitations. To him, the fame and glamour were not such great motivators, it was the necessity for him that built him into who we know today–A fighter, a firm believer and a true champion.
You can only rely on your hard work, a thing Virat learned from his father, there are no shortcuts to success, it is just pure hard work. His father was the one who made him see that the hard work you put in today will be rewarded tomorrow. He gave Virat the right teachings by action.
Today, when he steps onto the cricket field, millions of people are watching him, praising him for the man he is, but nobody knows and acknowledges his determination and hardwork he did to earn this respect.
This determination, which was developed through discipline after being born under stress, is what makes Virat Kohli's story so very inspiring. His story is a reminder that true success takes patience and persistence, even in a world that often glorifies quick solutions. His rise was marked more by determination than talent.
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