Indian superstar Virat Kohli has reflected on the batting slump which saw him not score a single international century between November 2019 to September last year.
One of India's and the world's best batsmen, Kohli saw his batting average in Tests drop under 50 with his last Test century coming against Bangladesh in November 2019, scoring 136.
From then to now, Kohli is slowly capturing the form that has him at the top of his game. In September he made his maiden T20 century scoring 122 not out against Afghanistan in Dubai, and most recently registered 113 in India's 67-run win over Sri Lanka in the first of three One-Day matches between the nations.
Not to forget his spellbinding knock of 82 against Pakistan at the MCG in the T20 World Cup to pull India to an incredible four-wicket win.
Speaking with ESPN Cricinfo, Kohli says sticking to the basics and avoiding desperation has been key for his turnaround.
"The one thing I learnt was desperation doesn't get you anywhere," he said.
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"The game still remains very simple. It's when we start complicating things with our own attachments, our own desires, our own attachment to who we become from people's point of view, not who we were when we picked up the bat or the ball when we started playing.
"I think when that perspective goes off, you start putting yourself in a space where everything just keeps spiralling downwards.
"And it's only that detachment, in the real sense, [that helps], where you go out there playing without any fear, and you go out there playing for the right reasons, almost playing every game like it's your last game and being happy about it, not being sad about it. These are the things that I learnt.
"I cannot hold on to things. The game is going to move on, it's going to keep going on, many players have played in the past as well. I am not going to play forever. So what I am trying to hold on to, what am I trying to protect? So all these were the things that I realised. I am in a happy space [now]. I am just enjoying my game and I just want to play with enjoyment as long as I play."
The second One-Dayer between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled for tomorrow at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
