Virat Kohli Fed Up With Camera, Confesses Honest Take On Media

Virat Kohli expressed frustration over constant filming during IPL practice sessions, saying players deserve privacy and freedom while preparing for matches.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru superstar Virat Kohli has spoken openly about the increasing camera presence around players during the Indian Premier League (IPL), admitting that the constant filming makes him uncomfortable during training sessions and off-field interactions.

Kohli explained that while he understands the importance of social media engagement and commercial visibility for franchises, there should still be limitations regarding how much access cameras get around players.

“Like social media is a huge part of the commercial representation or the fan engagement for any team, which is understandable,” Kohli said on a podcast with his Indian Premier League (IPL) side, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

The former India captain further explained how overwhelming it feels when cameras constantly follow players around the ground from the moment they arrive for practice.

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“But I honestly am hand on heart, I genuinely feel like there has to be a bit more streamlining, because if you look at the growth of the official fan clubs or the official fan pages of teams, it has taken place after a long period of time when the IPL was already in play. So it’s not a thing that people are ready for from day one. So immediately you walk to practice and you have six cameras following, it’s not a comfortable feeling at all. As a sportsperson, you need to have the ability and the freedom to work on your game in peace,” he added.

Kohli Explains How Constant Attention Impacts His Training

Virat Kohli also revealed that the ever-present cameras and online discussions around his training sessions have started impacting how naturally he approaches practice.

According to Kohli, every action during nets now becomes material for public analysis, which makes experimenting with new techniques difficult.

“If you, everything you do is an opportunity to film or display or to dissect, then you are not organic. I’m not going to be able to try to do things at practice, which I really want to do, because I know tomorrow if someone films it, and there are discussions on my practice sessions,” he said.

Kohli stressed that performances during matches should remain the only criteria for judging players, rather than scrutinising every preparation routine behind the scenes.

“You judge me on my performances during the game. During the lead-up, no one has the right to judge me for what I’m doing in terms of my preparation, the things I’m trying in the nets. So, I just feel like there has to be a bit more streamlining in terms of understanding how much to do, when to do, and is the player okay with, you know, being filmed at all times? I think those kind of things really needs to be taken into account because this is my honest assessment. It gets too much,” he added.

Virat Kohli Recalls Funny Robot Camera Incident With Kane Williamson

During the interaction, Kohli also shared a humorous incident involving IPL’s robotic camera dog while he was having a serious conversation with New Zealand batter Kane Williamson.

The RCB batter admitted that the robotic camera repeatedly interrupted their discussion, eventually forcing him to ask staff members to remove it.

“Like, I don’t like discussing. I was talking to Kane the other day. And there’s that robot thing, doing (waves hands), and I’m like, man. But I’m like, why is this guy, like, doing (waves hands). I’m talking to him about something so serious, you know? I looked at him, and I ignored him. Then I told the guy, please take him away. You know, let me talk in peace,” he said.

Kohli also expressed frustration over how every interaction between cricketers quickly turns into viral social media content and fan-made moments.

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“He’s my friend. I can’t have a conversation with him without it becoming a moment of ‘Kane Mama’ and ‘King Kohli’ meeting. What man. He’s a friend, I’ve known him since our under-19 days. Bechara kuch baat kar raha hain. Mereko baat toh karne do. Kisise bahar ground pe miloge toh news ban jayegi. Thoda zyada hain. (Poor thing is saying something to me. Let me speak to him. If I go and meet someone on the ground, it becomes news. This is a bit too much),” he added.