• Home
  • Player Stories
  • Virat Kohlis Grey Beard How Captaincy Took A Toll On Indias Greatest Test Skipper

Virat Kohli's Grey Beard: How Captaincy Took A Toll On India's Greatest Test Skipper

Anurag Dasgupta

Virat Kohli grey beard [Source: @Shebas_10dulkar/x.com] Virat Kohli grey beard [Source: @Shebas_10dulkar/x.com]

A few days ago, India's star, Virat Kohli, was in the news, but for all the worrying reasons. A recent photo of the Indian legend with a fan went viral, but fans expressed their concerns, as Kohli had a noticeable grey beard, a sign that he was aging and was no longer the same young player he once was.

Known for his exemplary fitness standards and special diets, the 36-year-old looked older than his age, and fans were worried that the star player might fade away from cricket and even announce his ODI retirement.

However, people must understand that ageing is a natural process, and Kohli decided not to hide this. Interestingly, 12 years ago, the former India and RCB captain predicted his future, and warned fans that one fine day, he could have a grey beard due to captaincy burden.

When Kohli predicted his grey beard future in 2013

It was the 2013 IPL season, and Kohli was the captain of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), a franchise that had immense popularity, and the fans wanted the team to win the coveted IPL trophy. In a game against the Delhi Capitals, he scored a brilliant 99 runs, and helped RCB beat the opposition.

After the match, Kohli talked about the captaincy pressure and stated that 'captaincy makes you grey quicker.'

 "My beard is greying already. And I wouldn't be surprised in one years' time if the hair on my head greys as well."

Captaincy pressure took a toll on Kohli

Kohli led India in Tests from 2015 to 2021, and in white-ball cricket from 2017 to 21, and in that period, the India star was under tremendous pressure to deliver the goods. Under his leadership, India did well in Tests, and reached the top of the ICC rankings as he became the India captain with the most wins in Tests.

However, his white-ball tenure was criticised, as India failed to win the Champions Trophy 2017, couldn't reach the finals in 2019, and were eliminated in the group stage during 2021 T20 World Cup. Despite stellar performances with the bat, Kohli was scrutinised for his leadership, and it isn't a surprise that his bear has grown grey.