How Spirituality helped Kohli detach from his favourite sport

We often use the word spirituality in a very simple, plain form. For many, spirituality is all about Acai bowls, sound therapies, chanting, wearing saffron robes, and the likes. But what they miss out in between the trends and fads is the inner change that spirituality brings and how it changes people from within.

Without being tied to a religion or specific belief, spirituality helps people understand and realise the deeper meaning of life, one that goes beyond material luxuries, riches, fame, achievements, the need for validation, and so one.And one thing that spirituality teaches everyone is that to find peace, you must learn to let go. And so a spiritually inclined person seeks peace not in the outside world but within and slowly lets go of what does not serve him or her anymore.

What does a Spiritual person look like?

Every spiritual person has certain traits and qualities in them that set them apart from the common people. For example, the chaos does not affect them, they have a sense of inner calm that fuels them, they remain grounded no matter how much they accomplish, they know when and how to look back and analyse their actions, and the best of all, they live in the present, without worrying too much about the past or the future. They enjoy life as is, and do not stress about what is to happen next.

And one sign of a spiritual person that comes pretty late to many is the ability to let go and detach from the things they love the most, the memories they hold on to, and the likes.

Detachment as a form of spirituality

Detachment is one of the most important paths and part of spirituality. It is about loosening the emotional hold we have over the things we love and cherish, be it a relationship, a memory, a place, money and riches, or even a career path. But one should remember that detachment doesn’t mean not caring about something you love, it just means you are prepared enough to let it go when the right time comes.

Detachment is about loving something dearly, but not clinging to it, working hard for it, but also not being obsessed about the results it will give.Detachment, in the long run, helps people escape a cycle of obsession and live more peacefully.

The balance it brings

When you detach yourself from something you liked, you start maintaining an emotional balance. You do not exactly shut off your feelings, but rather prepare to slowly distance it from you.

Whatever you are detaching from, be it a job, a career, a person, or life itself, you continue to love it, but are not gripped by it. Slowly, you develop a kind of tolerance that makes you realise that even if those things change, you will feel fine. This ‘letting go’ is not about giving up or becoming indifferent, but just understanding that nothing in life is permanent.

A decision that made India sob

On May 12, 2025, Virat Kohli surprised the cricketing world and his fans by announcing his retirement from Test cricket.

For millions of fans, this news was emotional and bitter, and the outrage that poured in over the decision was like nothing seen before. Kohli, one of the most passionate and driven cricketers of his generation, was stepping away from the format he once considered the pinnacle of the sport.For years, Kohli gave everything to the game, his time, focus, energy, discipline, dedication, everything possible. Be it performing and practicing for long hours or leaving his Delhi-boy food habits, Kohli did it all to be in the best form and perform exceptionally well for India. And so people wondered, what made him walk away from something he so deeply loved?

The spiritual side

Over time, Kohli’s public persona has shifted. From the aggressive young player who wore his emotions on his sleeve, he changed into a more composed, grounded person. He started speaking about balance, family, and inner peace far more than he did a decade ago. He openly discussed how meditation changed his life, how Anushka made him a better man, how his trips to Kaal Bhairav temple and Neem Karoli baba’s ashram had an impact on his life, and much more.

What really changed in him?

For a first, his retirement from Test cricket is one of the most devastating news cricket fans have heard in a while. From Rohit Sharma’s announcement, to his in the next 3-5 days, Indian cricket fans worldwide are mighty disappointed.But one should know that even for Kohli, this would not have been an easy decision. It is never easy to walk away from something that gave you identity, fame, and purpose, and for him, cricket was more than a profession! It was a passion, a mission, and something for which he sacrificed everything. But now, people feel that maybe spirituality helped him realise that he is more than just a cricketer.Many feel that spirituality allowed him to separate his self-worth from his performance, would have taught him that stepping back isn’t failure, and maybe, he had a realisation that continuing in Test cricket wasn’t aligning with his life’s next chapter.And so instead of clinging to his glory or fearing what people might think, he chose peace, and this is what spiritual detachment really looks like. Not turning your back on your past, but knowing when to move on with grace.