Mr. Kohli - ‘Please keep cool’: Emotional management concerns in sport

Virat Kohli needs to introspect on his emotional outbursts.

Virat Kohli may be one of the finest batsmen, being compared to the likes of Tendulkar, and breaking many records. To top it all, deemed as the future Indian captain, he needs to ‘look into the mirror’ and stop blaming the world and externalising every issue. Agree, it takes a lot to stay calm and controlled under pressure like captain Dhoni or ‘the Wall’ Dravid, but that’s what is expected when you don India colours and the captain’s hat.

Emotional management is very important in any game. Yet, I don’t blame Kohli alone – why isn’t the BCCI doing anything when such temper issues are happening quite frequently with a talented player or players?

Eventually, it might come down to the coach and captain, to tone down the ‘angry young man’, as it is unlikely that professional help will be sought – that happens only when things have gone real bad- especially here in India.

Andy Murray, the Wimbledon champion of 2013, had similar issues with emotional management until last year, but new coach Ivan Lendl brought about a much-required change in the young man’s attitude, which brought splendid results this year.

If Kohli continues this way- he will be sending out a wrong message to his followers – and no parent would want their kids to be behaving the way he currently is – bratty and impulsive. He will really need to tweak this personality trait and emerge as an inspiring youth icon!

Honestly hope Kohli ‘introspects’ and looks within (than being told by others), and sooner than later, he does cool down as he has so much to offer to cricket. Awareness, experimentation and implementation are much required to deal with his emotional outbursts.

If he is not aware or does not feel ‘emotional management’ is an area which requires to be dealt, then the denial will cost him. But if he does acknowledge there is a problem, then the solution can quickly be arrived at. Subsequently, after observing when and why he loses his temper, at the experimental stage he could see what would work to stay composed; and finally implementing them, he could successfully overcome the demons.

Alternatively, if he opens up to a senior player, captain, coach or mentor- he would have gone half-way by taking the first crucial step. However, ‘image management’ is a huge concern in sport, especially cricket, as the expectations on them are manifold, and players may not like to talk about’ their shortcomings; instead, they project a ‘macho’ image!

One can only hope he is honest to himself, even if he denies it to the outside world. For his own good, he has to truly introspect and make a conscious effort to change this aspect.

Sporting greats know that in order to keep beating one’s best, they have to conquer inner demons, whatever they may be. In Kohli’s case, it is emotion. Sports personnel are also human, and let’s hope he achieves greater heights and is in the limelight for all the right reasons!