Despite having 81 international centuries and leading Royal Challengers Bangalore to their maiden IPL title in 2025, Virat Kohli once made a confession so humble and unexpected that it left Jos Buttler stunned. The English wicketkeeper-batter revealed this shocking exchange on Stuart Broad’s podcast ‘For the Love of Cricket’.

Buttler Reveals Virat’s Vulnerable Side

Buttler recounted a moment from IPL 2023, when Rajasthan Royals and RCB were training together. Buttler approached Kohli, curious to understand how the Indian great handled the immense pressure and expectations.

“I asked him, how do you cope with so much expectation? No one in cricket faces more pressure than you,” Buttler said.

Kohli’s reply was both disarming and deeply human:

“Maybe that was your one golden season. Accept it. Don’t try to repeat it. These things come and go.”

But it was what Kohli said next that truly shocked Buttler:

“Sometimes when I pick up the bat, I feel like I don’t even know how to play cricket.”

Kohli’s Humility Impresses the Cricket World

This rare insight into Kohli’s mindset shows even the greatest cricketers grapple with self-doubt. For Buttler, it was a moment of perspective, helping him deal with the pressures of following up his monstrous 2022 IPL season, where he scored 863 runs — second only to Kohli’s 973 in 2016.

Kohli & Buttler Shine in IPL 2025

• Virat Kohli (RCB):

  • Matches: 15

  • Runs: 657

  • Average: 54.75

  • 50s: 8

• Jos Buttler (Gujarat Titans):

  • Matches: 14

  • Runs: 538

  • Average: 59.77

  • 50s: 5

Despite his self-doubts, Kohli’s performances remain elite, showing that even legends fight their own mental battles.