Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav respected one another a great deal. Suryakumar was advised by Kohli to be prepared for difficult times and shared his approach to dealing with failures.

Since making his debut against England roughly two years ago, Suryakumar Yadav has had an unprecedented number of T20I appearances.

However, Virat Kohli experienced a similar, if not better, a period in other formats shortly before a dip in form in 2019 set the former India captain back, only for him to make a spectacular comeback since the Asia Cup of last year.

Kohli advised Suryakumar Yadav to be ready to take “a couple of steps back” when things don’t go his way after scoring his 45th ODI century, moving him closer to Sachin Tendulkar’s 49-century ODI record.

With his sparkling knock against Bangladesh in Mirpur last month, Kohli ended a three-year drought for an ODI century. On Tuesday, he scored another century in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Guwahati to show the world that he is back to his best.

Kohli was interviewed by Suryakumar Yadav for BCCI.tv after scoring 113 runs in just 87 balls to help India post a massive 373 for 7 at the Barsapara Stadium. As a result, the team led by Rohit Sharma took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and won the match by 67 runs.

They held each other in very high regard. When Suryakumar inquired about Kohli’s mantra, he discussed how he dealt with failures and advised Suryakumar to be prepared for difficult situations.

“Runs flowed from your bat for about 4-5 years, then there was a dip in the last 1-2 years. What did you do during that time so that you could start reaping the benefits in 2023?”

On Tuesday, Kohli hit 12 fours and a six, making a comeback after being rested for the three-match T20. However, even six months ago, the talismanic batter’s situation was not as bright.

After a long period of low play, he had to take a long break from cricket. When he returned to the Indian team for the Asia Cup the previous year, he scored his first century in nearly three years. He has since regained his enthusiasm.

“During the presentation that followed the match, I said the same thing. The same thing will now occur to you as you play more and more.

You will be viewed differently by others. People are now assuming that “Surya will do it” whenever Surya goes out to play. Maintaining that pace is a very demanding process.

These things flow well, form accha hota hai, jab tak aapka cricket accha chal raha hota hai. However, when there is a dip, as it was in my case,

I started to get frustrated because cricket wouldn’t let me play the way I do or perform as expected. It was a difficult time. I strayed from the game plan as a result.

Virat Kohli said – "I am saying this desperation because when he goes to bat, the bowlers are desperate to get him out, because bowlers are scared him. And they go further away from getting him out, they are not able to get him out. (Told to Suryakumar Yadav) pic.twitter.com/ydfrAers8d

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) January 11, 2023

“My desires and attachments had completely taken control. That’s when I realized that I can’t be anywhere else. I must be honest with myself.

Even when I’m at my weakest and when I’m not playing well. When I’m the worst player, I have to accept it. I can’t pretend to be okay because then you can be very irritable and snappy in your own space, which is not good at all.

It was unfair to my friends and family, including Anushka. It is unfair for those who constantly support you to continue seeing you in that space.”I had to put things in perspective and order,” Kohli said.