Jos Buttler's Unheard Virat Kohli Story: 'He Started Talking About Insecurities'
Jos Buttler has revealed an unheard Virat Kohli story where the Indian superstar shared his insecurities and struggles with him during IPL 2023.
Former England captain Jos Buttler has revealed that Virat Kohli once opened up to him about his 'insecurities' and the occasional feeling of not knowing 'how to play'. Buttler said Kohli gave him insights about his bad phases to help him temper his own expectations during the IPL 2023 season.
Buttler was the highest run-scorer in IPL 2022 (863 runs) but struggled to live up to extra expectations in the following year for the Rajasthan Royals. He took the opportunity of the team's practice with Royal Challengers Bengaluru to reach out to Kohli, who had an even more 'phenomenal' year in 2016 with a record 973 runs.
'I've played a lot against Virat," Buttler told Stuart Broad during 'For the Love of Cricket' podcast. 'He's a huge competitor, but I just thought that I'll ask him a couple of questions. He had just finished batting. The question was about how you manage expectations. I mean, there are more expectations on him than anyone in world cricket. He was so generous with his time, so helpful. He just had to say 'Maybe you had that one season. Accept that. Don't try and replicate it'. It's ok. Life is going to be fine," he added.
Buttler said he didn't have to push Kohli to get vulnerable and the feelings came out naturally.
'And then he started talking about some of the insecurities he sometimes has about his game and stuff like that. How he practices. I mean, this is arguably the best player of our generation, especially in white-ball and ODIs. I was so thankful for his time and grateful for his insights. Just amazed by the knowledge he had of my own game, what my work. He too is human. He said 'sometimes I pick up the bat and feel like I don't know how to play.' I feel that quite a lot so if he feels that too, it's ok," added Buttler.
Buttler now plays for the Gujarat Titans who qualified for the 2025 season's playoffs but couldn't make it past the Eliminator. Kohli's RCB, on the other hand, won their first title by beating Punjab Kings in the final.
First Published:
June 17, 2025, 07:47 IST
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