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

Virat Kohli has a tendency to lose his cool when things don’t go his away

Why does Kohli lose his cool time and again? This time, the Indian captain vented his displeasure the moment the third umpire ruled him out, caught by Malcolm Waller at mid-wicket off Kyle Jarvis for 14 in the second ODI at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.

Of course, it’s understandable if it happens once or twice, given his age and the high-pressure cricket games. But what is surprising is that he doesn’t seem to get the point, and he’s now being called as the ‘angry young man of Indian cricket’.

Yes, it’s unfortunate when you’re adjudged ‘out’ when you probably are ‘not out’, but this is not the first time this is happening to a batsman. Also, to stand his ground, argue with the umpire and throw his bat was totally uncalled for, and not at all a pleasant sight, that too by the captain!

Virat Kohli does have an aggressive temperament, and it works well as along as that aggression is channelled for batting just as a Sehwag or Mcgrath.

I recall Gilchrist stating he performed well when he is angry. On a good day, the aggression works to Kohli’s advantage and he employs it for scoring runs, but when things aren’t going well, it takes an ugly turn. He needs to realise what is under his control and what is not.

As Dravid says, ‘control the controllables’. Errors in judging, bad days, and crowd jeering are ‘external factors’ that cannot be controlled. Why even waste energy over them? It’s very unsportsmanlike to be losing one’s cool time and again, at the drop of a hat. He’s not a kid who thinks by creating a tantrum everyone around are going to appease him.

Also, he is creating an unwanted facet which sends out the wrong signal, that it is easy to needle him, and break his focus. This could very much go against him, and he alone will be to blame for it.

As Sir VV Richards told Virender Sehwag during IPL 6, you need to ‘project you’re a fighter’ – ready for any challenge. Kohli, unfortunately is doing the exact opposite – with his behaviour antics showing total lack of ‘emotional control’.

High-performance matches aren’t just about how one plays- but it has a lot to do with ‘handling pressure and unexpected events’ – which could be the DL, rain, sledging, umpiring issues, crowd etc. One wonders why he hasn’t learnt it from the inspiring Captain Cool- rarely does one see Dhoni ranting and raving, even during crucial moments!

Anil Kumble- one of India’s finest spinners – was aggressive when he bowled, but didn’t go around creating a ruckus every time things don’t go his way. There is a fine line between being aggressive while playing and throwing temper tantrums, and Kohli has to learn that.

I recall an Australian batsman once stating during my PhD study on Emotional Management, “You need to control your temper at least till you are out off the field – away from the audience and media glare; then perhaps in the dressing room, you let out a few expletives or break your bat”. This may still be a superficial attempt at managing temper, but it’s at least the first step.

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!