‘People will always talk, but self-belief matters most’ - Virat Kohli’s timeless lesson driving Anuj Rawat forward [Exclusive]

In an exclusive interaction with CricTracker, Anuj Rawat reflects on the valuable lessons he learned from former India captain Virat Kohli, and shares behind-the-scenes insights from the heated encounter against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).

Rawat also reflects on the off-field persona of Kohli that fans rarely get to see. He further shares his experience of playing under both Kohli and Shubman Gill, offering insights into their distinct captaincy styles.

Excerpts from the interview

You’ve been in the RCB camp with Virat Kohli. Have you received any piece of advice from Kohli that motivated you?

There are many things I have learned from him. I always used to watch him closely, and I have also had the chance to play alongside him. I feel very fortunate that I got the opportunity to bat with him and share the same dressing room.

One thing he always emphasised was the importance of self-belief. The world will always have a lot to say, but maintaining your own self-belief is crucial. As a cricketer, that is one of the most important qualities to have.

You were in the RCB camp when that famous Kohli vs Naveen-ul-Haq clash happened in Lucknow. What was the atmosphere like inside the dugout? How did the players react at that moment?

I don’t think the atmosphere in the dressing room at that time felt like there was any fight. We all just knew what had happened when Lucknow came to play in Chinnaswamy; Avesh Khan had thrown his helmet, and the situation became tense.  When we went to play in Lucknow, we were determined to win. We had put up a low total and still managed to defend it, so we were very happy about that.

The on-field heat of the moment was just part of the game. But inside the dressing room, there was no tension or conflict. Everyone was united and backed their player for whatever had happened.

One thing about Virat Kohli that fans don’t see on camera, but you have experienced personally in RCB?

His dedication and work ethic off the field are outstanding. If there was a practice session before a match, he always made sure to attend and give his best. If he had to work out in the gym, he did that with full commitment as well. He maintained a fixed sleep routine during match days and followed a proper diet, at least from what I observed. Overall, his discipline and work ethic were excellent; he stuck to his schedule perfectly.

You have played under Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill. How would you compare their captaincy styles?

I would say Virat is a very passionate leader. He can be a bit aggressive on the field because he has such a strong desire to win. Shubman Gill is passionate too, but he is also quite calm at times. I think he is still in his growing phase as a captain. From what I saw last year, he handled the team very well. There were several situations where he was under pressure, but he remained calm throughout, at least from what I observed.